The Exchange

As I explained, we held the ceremony the very next evening.

I stood before Ganondorf, the two of us in front of our thrones. My dress was beautiful. No, I don't have it. My home will eventually be destroyed, which will leave me with nothing. I wore long, red gloves of silk, a gold armband with the Gerudo symbol. My top tied in the back like a corset, and my neck was decorated with a gold choker. He wore a fine black shirt, fingerless gloves, and boots. He always seemed ready for battle, even in casual attire. Then of course he had his red cape.

Ganondorf was irritated by the formalities. There had to be witnesses. We indulged the rituals only to avoid conflict. Anyway, I wanted to make sure no one could question my authority, if only to prevent any unnecessary death.

I was honestly afraid that I might make a mistake. He seemed so calm and composed, but how was a man like him going to make a declaration of love in front of all those people? I was anxious to hear his vow.

"You are gathered here today to witness the union of a king and his bride, to officially unite them in marriage as husband and wife," Koume cackled. I grinned. It was finally happening, the one goal I thought was entirely out of reach.

Kotake chimed in next. "Before the Goddess of the Sand, and the Goddesses Din, Farore, and Nayru, you will exchange vows. Dora, you have asked to go first. You may begin."

Ganondorf and I turned to face each other in unison. He absorbed my slender hands when he accepted them. I swallowed my nerves, looked the King of Evil in the eyes, and said, "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 that I alone deserve you, and that no one else was worthy of your attention."

You'll never believe what he said. "Dora, breathe," he reminded me with an evil smirk.

So I can get a little long winded. I breathed and I smiled. "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."

I took a second to breathe without being reminded, and he interjected with, "Have you more words to say, or are you satisfied?" It was as if he challenged me!

I raised an eyebrow and 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.

I heard his smug tone, but the desire in his eyes was stronger. "Perhaps you think too much," I countered.

"Impossible," he scoffed.

The Hylian elder, who stood beside Koume and Kotake, cleared his throat and said, "Your majesty, it is your turn."

I was baffled when Ganondorf tenderly touched my face and combed his fingers through my hair. This affection was all still new to me, but in some ways it seemed like he had dreamed about it for as long as I had. "I have seen marriage make men fall on their knees out of weakness," he began, his voice spreading his dominance through the room. His eyes never wandered from me. "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 and 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."

I clung to his every word. I became so overwhelmed with emotion that he wiped away the tear that tumbled from my eye.

Suddenly, a collective sigh escaped the few witnesses who convened in the throne room. "Aw, how cute," a woman giggled. "To think the King of Evil might have a heart."

Ganondorf glared suddenly and his eyes shifted from me to the Hylian woman. He flung out his hand and a streak of energy exploded toward her. I delighted in seeing her smash against the wall. The dense energy created a hole in her chest, which left a trail of blood as she slid to the floor. I cackled, "Nice shot!"

"Who else dares ridicule me on this day?" He shouted. "Imbeciles!" His outburst silenced the room.

Koume snickered, and then cleared her throat. "You may complete the ceremony by binding your vows with your first kiss as man and wife."

I couldn't hold back anymore. I jumped into his arms, and he was so surprised he barely caught me. After a passionate kiss, in which I barely held back from devouring him, he whispered, "The world shall envy me now that your radiant beauty, passion, and ferocity belong to me."

"You could simply say I love you," I whispered. His only answer was another kiss. Oh, but that's not all, not by a long shot.