The Virtues of Wisdom - Ganondorf

I was wide awake, waiting for Ganondora's return. Once again, she had rushed out of the castle with no explanation. She made it difficult to know her every move, complicating the process of influencing her. The weeks after conquering Hyrule had been most stressful. Her only focus was locating Zelda. I understood exactly why, but she was being foolish. Being the good leader I am, I needed to help her understand her true mistake.

She split up from Rayne when they entered the castle, and headed straight up the stairs toward the throne room. She was prepared to report the result of her mission, or the lack there of. I appeared behind her before she entered the room.

"Dora," I called sternly to gain her complete attention. She had passed me without even realizing and spun around in surprise.

"Your majesty," she greeted, but forgot to bow. It was obvious her mind was running rampant. I needed to reel her in. Her voice portrayed her hopelessness. "I was not successful, again," she explained, expressing extreme frustration.

"Why do you try so relentlessly?" I asked suddenly, with honest curiosity.

Let me take a moment to explain the big difference between Dora and I. While we accept it about each other, we still struggle to comprehend it entirely. This variation is also what makes us the perfect diabolical duo.

I am clever, a master of cunning. I take my time to allow a scheme to unfold. I never even hint at my true power, until the end when it is least expected.

Dora is not quite so patient. She is eager to act. She does everything on a whim. Rather than use her mind, she is quick to draw her sword to resolve a conflict.

Over the years, we have practiced a fragile balance of action and manipulation.

Her explanation came in exasperated breaths, as if the reason was blatantly apparent. "I need to correct my mistake. The error I made was costly, and has set you back indefinitely. I will find her, and bring the Triforce of Wisdom to you, even if I must bring her very corpse to you," she explained intensely. "I swore I would catch her, and I plan to do just that. I will not fail."

I waited for her to finish, before immediately asking, "What is there to prove?"

For merely a second I was disappointed. I thought I had left her speechless. She never failed to satisfy. "What isn't there to prove? I can't even imagine how badly it reflects on you that your general and second in command let such an invaluable prisoner escape. I won't rest until I've found her. I should have been removed from my position the minute it happened."

I allowed for a breath of silence to let her think on her words. I asked in a challenging tone, "Is that what you really want?"

"N-no," she answered, suddenly quiet.

"I didn't think so," I countered arrogantly.

"Wait. Why aren't you more angry at me?" she wondered.

"When Zelda escaped I was furious, but also in shock. The only failure of my loyal warrior, and it was the most important mission of all: secure the Ocarina of Time," I explained, my voice on the edge of a growl. "I believed Zelda had escaped with the instrument we needed. The events were out of my control, and that frustrated me even further."

"Ganondorf, I am sorry," she said, tears filling her eyes until they glistened. "I just want you to be proud to call me your second in command, and right now I am a disgrace."

I was completely aware she felt that way, obviously. "You have worked relentlessly, losing sleep, your sanity, to focus yourself on one goal. Yes, completing the Triforce is our primary task. How do you expect to complete the Triforce if we have not discovered who bears the Triforce of Courage?"

Her eyes widened just a fraction. It was enough that the moonlight bleeding in the window intensified the golden flakes in her eyes, as if shards of the Triforce lay within them. She mesmerized me in that moment, but I remained concentrated. "Have you considered the alternative outcomes of that day?" I asked, prompting a response.

"The only outcome that day," she said, being stubborn, "should have been me playing the Song of Time on that ocarina. We could have captured that Kokiri boy when he came back for Zelda, so that we had the Spiritual Stones." She used the side of her hand to wipe the tears that tumbled down her cheeks. "With Zelda as a prisoner we would have had the Triforce of Wisdom without having to hunt for it and the Triforce of Courage."

"You are missing one important detail," I reminded smugly. "Because Zelda escaped, the locks to the Sacred Realm were opened for me. The one who pulled the Master Sword from its pedestal, the hero chosen by the goddesses, the bearer of the Triforce of Courage, is trapped within the Sacred Realm." That admirable look of recognition flashed over her face again. "You will bring an immediate end to your tireless search for Zelda. You have been distracted over an unimportant matter and wasted your energy. Zelda will show herself when she is ready. This was her kingdom, after all, and I do not believe she will sit idle for long before trying to reclaim it."

I never had to guess at the thoughts running through her mind. "My lord, I never even considered that. I did make a mistake, but in the end, it turned out to work to our advantage."

"I commend you for your diligent effort to amend your wrong, but there is nothing to amend. Our only focus is the conquest of Hyrule, and to prepare for the hero's return. At that time, we will complete the Triforce."

As far as emotions go, I have complete understanding and control over mine. Dora allowed hers to control her, and it fascinates me to this day. She stepped toward me, but seemed to think better of acting on her impulse. She simply bowed her head and quietly said, "Thank you, for helping me to understand."

Compassion... It's one of my least used emotions, although it has proven beneficial on rare occasions. It is uncharacteristic of me, but when used properly bears its own fruit. Her original intent had been clear, but she hesitated. This might be the only time she ever showed restraint, only because she feared pushing me away before a romantic relationship began. It was laughable for me because from the day I met her, from that first conversation, I had been infatuated with her, and grew to love her.

I stepped forward and placed my hands on her upper arms, just below her shoulders. I felt her trembling, possibly out of anger and sadness all at once, or because I stood so near. Her skin rippled with little bumps at my touch that I could feel against the palms of my hands. It was incredible to know that her affection for me ran so deeply that I could inspire such a reaction from her by a simple touch of flesh. I admit, desiring her for such a long time was torture. I had even begun to imagine Dora in my arms while still sharing my chamber with Nabooru. "And one more thing," I said, which caused her to look up at me. The moon danced across her sensual features and stole my breath. My highly disciplined self control was all that prevented me from devouring her. "You have already proven your worth, and more than earned the title of second in command, general."

Her smile lit the corridor.

"I am relieved to hear you say that. I'm... going to bed," she said, tearing her eyes away from me.

I released her. The air that remained was tense and dissatisfied, but the latter was most likely my imagination.

She turned and walked away, but I watched her until she rounded the corner. It wasn't even in the direction of her room, but she needed to escape. I had felt her thundering heartbeat in her pulse. I needed to make her mine soon. It was possible she was more tortured by us being apart than myself. Once the sage's temples were well guarded, and the last of her tasks completed, I would have her.