The very next evening, Dora stood before her fiancé in front of the thrones, his and the one he magically created just for her. She wore formal attire made of satin, with long, red gloves of silk, and a gold arm band of the Gerudo symbol. Her top tied in the back, and was stiff to hold up her breasts like a corset. Her neck was decorated with a gold choker, and another amber gem dangled from it and rested on her open chest.
Ganondorf dressed in his finest attire, of a black shirt partially buttoned up his chest, fingerless gloves without the gauntlets covering them, and his breaches with knee high leather boots. He still wore his shoulder armor that his cape was attached to, which hung to just above his feet. Dora had never seem him look so regal and handsome, and was thrilled to know he was dressed up just for their union.
The formalities irritated the King of Evil. Witnesses were necessary, so a select few Hylians, including their elder, a handful of Gerudo with their elder, and a few minions were gathered in the throne room. They were required to swear a formal vow to each other for the Goddesses of Hyrule, and the Goddess of the Sand, to recognize their marriage.
The difficulty of being king was indulging in the rituals of the mindless masses to appease their desire for normality, or else face a large amount of rebellious ideals than was necessary. Plus, all he needed was Dora's authority to be questioned just once and have her accidentally kill someone to prove her leadership.
That would have been more entertaining than the ceremony, though.
Dora was nervous, afraid she might make a mistake on the most important day of her life. What if she stuttered during her vows? The setting, her crown, Ganondorf at her side, it was all so perfect. It was not like him to continue with such a ceremony that would force him to make a public declaration of love, so she was anxious to hear his vows.
"You are gathered today to honorably witness the union of a king and his bride, to officially unite them in marriage as husband and wife," the Gerudo elder announced.
Dora grinned and blushed. Never in a million years did she believe it would be her wedding, and not watching him marry someone else from the darkness, waiting to assassinate the other woman.
"Before the Goddess of the Sand, and the Goddesses Din, Farore, and Nayru, you will hold hands and exchange your vows. Dora, you have asked to go first. You may begin."
She and Ganondorf turned to face each other in unison. Her slender hands were absorbed by his when he accepted them. She swallowed her nerves, looked the King of Evil in the eyes, and spoke from her heart. "From the day I was old enough to begin my training as a thief, I knew my only place was to serve you, so I rose through the ranks to be closer to you. I dedicated my life to be the perfect Gerudo that could help you achieve the ultimate power you desire. That dedication has never changed. My desire has matured, into much more than wanting to merely serve you. I made every effort to prove I was better, that no one else was worthy of your attention, and that I alone deserve you."
"Dora, breathe," he reminded, with an evil smirk.
She smiled more easily, since he was amused, and then paused to breathe as he instructed. "I would give my life for you. Until that day, I will continue with you, now at your side, in your endeavor to realize your dreams of great power, because you have helped me to achieve mine. My sword has killed for you, my body toiled for you, and now I can finally give you the piece of me that I have wanted to give you the most, my heart."
"Have you more words to say, or are you satisfied?" he asked, almost challenging her.
Dora raised an eyebrow, then grinned. "That being said, I swear before the Goddesses that I will be faithful, through sickness and health, for better or worse, I will love and empower you, until death do us part."
"You speak far too much," he mused.
She only continued to smile because the passion in his eyes outweighed the smug tone he used. "Perhaps you think too much," Dora countered.
"That's impossible," he snorted.
"Ganondorf," the Hylian elder said sternly. "It's your turn."
He touched her face tenderly and combed his fingers gently through her long, thick red hair. His words spread his dominance through the room, but his eyes never wandered from her adorable face. "I have seen marriage make men fall on their knees out of weakness. Our union will be entirely different, for our marriage is built on a foundation of solid, unbreakable steel. I have watched you grow, from a naive girl, to a strong independent woman. You have more than conquered the challenges I set for you, and earned the right to share in my countless victories on my way to obtaining the Triforce. Your strength, skill, and ruthlessness is a perfect match for my intellect and power. Together, we are an unstoppable force. As such, I must defend you, and never allow you to fall. And, finally, so that our marriage cannot be questioned by the simple-minded, I swear to be faithful, through sickness and health, better or worse, to always love and empower you, until death do us part."
Dora hung on his every word, until she was so overcome with emotion he wiped away the tears that tumbled from her eyes.
A collective sigh of happiness escaped the few witnesses who convened in the throne room. "Aw, how cute," one woman giggled. "The king of evil might actually be a decent man."
Ganondorf glared suddenly, and his eyes shifted from Dora to the Hylian woman who spoke. He flung his hand toward the woman and a streak of energy darted at her. The force sent her flying to the front wall of the throne room, and the beam of energy left a hole in her chest. A trail of blood was left on the wall as she slid to the floor. Her head drooped to one side, signifying she was dead.
Dora cackled. "Nice shot!" she complimented.
The King of Evil shouted, "Who else dares ridicule me on this day? Imbeciles!" The other guests were silent.
"Perhaps she'll think twice about calling you a decent man," Dora laughed.
The Gerudo elder hid her smirk as she cleared her throat and said, "You may complete the ceremony by sharing your first kiss as mister and misses Ganondorf Dragmire."
Ganondorf moved to kiss Dora, but was surprised when she leapt into his arms. He just barely caught her, and held her against his torso. Her arms and legs wrapped around his body. They kissed each other hungrily, until they remembered they were being watched, and broke the kiss off. Dora stared at him in a daze, and he spoke softly to her. "The world shall envy me, now that your radiant beauty, passion, and unique personality belong to me, and I shall cherish them forever."
"Why not just say I love you?" she whispered.
Ganondorf only kissed her again.
The Hylian elder was not as polite when he cleared his throat, insisting that the ceremony continue. Dora glared at the old man, but slowly peeled herself away from Ganondorf. He sat in his throne, and waited for her coronation to be finalized.
Dora stood before her throne, took in a sharp, deep breath, and slowly exhaled it. The Gerudo elder stepped up first, and held Dora's hands firmly. "Will you solemnly swear to govern the Gerudo people according to the laws set forth by the Goddess of the Sand?"
She nodded curtly, and proudly answered, "I will."
"Will you solemnly promise to uphold the sanctity of the Gerudo and Hylian kingdoms, and to never forsake its people, to always use the power vested in you by our goddesses to defend them?" the Hylian elder asked.
With tears brimming her eyes again, she said, "I do."
The Elders shrunk to their knees, and the other witnesses in the room followed their lead. Ganondorf stood to play his part, by holding Dora's hand as she saw in her rightful place. It was his symbol to express that he would always uphold her honor as queen. Once he was seated in his throne again, the guests rose from their knees and slowly exited the room.
The last two to leave were the elders. Ganondorf waved his hand to order the guards to close the doors. He sighed, exasperated. "Finally."
Dora laughed out loud, and slapped her hand on her thigh. "Did you have to swear the same ridiculous oath?"
"I forcefully conquered this kingdom. There was no oath required that provided stronger proof that I earned the right to lead," he explained darkly.
"And that was a most magnificent day for the Gerudo," she added excitedly.
"You have taken many oaths today, and sworn your marriage vows before the goddesses, without even knowing the entire truth of what to expect from our union," he said mysteriously.
Dora stared at him skeptically, but his expression was serious.
"Before I reveal this information to you, I need to you to make the most important promise."
"Anything, my king." It warmed her heart to speak the words so intimately. She touched his face in anticipation.
"Never lie to me. Never hide from me. When the time comes to face my enemies, stand against them by my side without fear. And if I must entrust the Triforce to you, swear that you will protect it with your life," he said gravely.
Her gaze became haunted, but her eyes never diverted from his face. She realized just how important she was to him to ask her to make this important promise. "I swear," she answered, her throat suddenly dry.
"Then there is something you must understand, because I will honor the same promise."
"You're scaring me. Is something wrong?" Dora searched his handsome yellow eyes. "Are you dying?"
Ganondorf chuckled. "Quite the opposite, my queen. You see, I am no mere Gerudo King," he explained "I was not born to my whore mother by natural means. There is a reason she did not survive my birth, and the witches of the desert raised me. I am the Demon King, Demise, reincarnated to complete the Triforce and my vengeance against the goddess Hylia and her hero."
She stared at her husband in astonishment. "Am I the only one you have told?"
"Yes. There is no reason to tell anyone else, nor do they deserve this knowledge," he admitted.
She grasped his large, battle worn hands in hers, uncurled his fingers, and stared at them as if there were answers written in the unique lines of his palm. A content smile spread over her face. "Then I will be pleased to cage this secret in my heart, and allow my love for you to flow over the brim. I am only more happy that you have chosen me as your wife, so that I may share in your incredible power."
Ganondorf grinned at her confession. As pleased as he was, he appeared more demonic.
"But," she said, becoming sad.
"What?" he asked, confused.
"Does that mean I will grow old, and die, while you will live forever?" Her curious expression, with her scrunched up eyebrows, waited anxiously for his answer.
His laugh was so rich he tilted his head back and his shoulders shook with uncontained amusement.
Oh how she admired that real laugh, and how easily she could conjure one from him.
Once he contained his laughter, he wrapped his fingers around her hand and kissed her knuckles tenderly. "You have much to learn about how my power works. Would I marry you just to watch you die? No, you will live at my side forever," he exclaimed.
"Really?" she squealed. "That's incredible. You are quite talented!"
"Of course," he said, as if anything else were preposterous.
The image of the King and Queen of Evil relaxing in their thrones, indulging in each other's charming and witty conversation, adoring the way the candle light danced across each other's faces, was a bittersweet one. As much as Dora hoped this was happily ever after for them, ever after came all too soon, in exactly seven years.
The portrait in her mind slowly faded, and Ganondorf's voice whispered affectionately in her thoughts just before their minds disconnected. "That moment of our lives was perfect. We were too arrogant and believed it would last forever. When our world was destroyed, as I was being imprisoned, my only regret was not telling you that I love you."
At last, in the privacy of their minds, he spoke the three words she had longed to hear.
Dora opened her eyes. Their foreheads still touched, and she dove into Ganondorf's eyes as he stared directly back at her. The returning pain brutally reminded her of the impending delivery, but the tears streaming down her face were of joy.
He placed his hands on the side of her face, wiped the tears away with his thumbs, and ordered, "Push."
Dora wrapped her hands around his wrists and squeezed. She straightened her back, but since she never released her grip, her husband was forced to stand over her. He admired her strength and bravery during the process, and supported her until the cry of his baby girl filled the room.
Sweaty and exhausted, Dora finally freed Ganondorf so that he could investigate the way Hanae handled his child. With the cord cut, and the baby secured in blankets to keep warm, she passed the child to its mother to immediately feed, while she finished the afterbirth process as quickly as possible.
Dora traced her finger along the fresh, soft cheek of the baby, watching her suckle instinctively. "Look, Ganondorf. Our baby girl is finally here, our little Din."