Alrighty, so this idea is outsiide of any Legend of Zelda storyline with themes from several. So yeah... Basically the typical LoZ premise, but with non canonical twists.

-Jello

In a kingdom known as Hyrule, there is a history of heroes reincarnated to save the world from a great evil. It is said that this hero will always rise up when Hyrule needs it most. In such a land, where a shadow no one knows has begun stretching it's cold dark fingers into the air... Things have begun to change as the time for the hero draws near...

A voice cried out, and a rough grip grasped his arm. Link could not understand what was happening as he looked up into the burning yellow eyes of a dark skinned man holding him with a fierce grasp. Link felt a voiceless protest in the form of a groan escape his throat as man held him still. But as his eyes closed to cringe in fear at the aggressive look across that visage, only to open and find himself in a garden. His blue gaze looked at the lush bushes and flowering plants about. What was this place? A warm touch upon Link's hand caused him to turn and look, seeing a glowing figure. His face furrowed into a frown, only to wrinkle into an expression of pain as the warmth turned into an agonizing burn on the backside of his hand. Just as he was screaming in agony from the burning that began to spread throughout his body. He couldn't stop... until...

"Link! What's taking so long?!"

The piercing voice cut into the dozing blonde's alertness suddenly, jerking him into reality. His blue eyes snapped open as a gasp escaped his throat. He was groaning and hissing in pain, holding his hand where the burning had occured. But there was nothing left where he had felt it but the fading sensation. Ah right! His uncle...! The boy scrambled to his feet, straightened his tunic and practically came tumbling down the ladder from his room.

"C-Coming, Uncle!" The boy exclaimed as he climbed to his feet from the heap he had fallen into. He rushed out, clumsily slamming the door open. His boots kicked up a cloud of dust as he came to a screeching halt in front of his uncle.

"Whoa, boy!" The big bearded man shouted in surprise as he defensively thrust out his hand to stop the lad from crashing into him. His brawny arms held the teenage boy back. "Hold still! Get your stuff to the cart, we ain't got time to waste."

The pointy eared boy shook his head to clear it and nodded. "Yessir! Uh... I'll go get my things...!" He was already gone, rushing back into the house to get the stuff he had been dozing instead of gathering. The big man chuckled as the boy dashed into the building.

"Whooo boy... That child.." The big man sighed with a smile as he turned back to finish loading the weaponry he had crafted as the blacksmith of the area. Hefting a large wooden box, he put the last crate of swords into the cart. Just as he was preparing to get himself into the cart, the thumping sound of rushing feet gained his attention. Immediately his scowl returned. He sat down as his nephew climbed up on the seat beside him.

"Ready?" The boy breathlessly inquired with a sheepish grin upon his face at his tardiness.

The old man made no answer, instead clucking his tongue at the dappled draft horse and giving the reins a good pop to let the old horse know that it is time to move. The horse didn't bother to neigh in protest, instead, taking a slow plodding pace that could bore even the most patient of men. With the exception being solely of Link's uncle. The man could stay awake through anything. He is used to the slow pace, as blacksmithing requires a slow steady pace, with every hammer that strikes the metal. Link on the other hand... was easily bored. The boy had scarcely set his bag down and he was already starting to doze. There was no special scenery for him to see. He had already seen most everything around his village, whether from travels with his uncle or youthful escapades. Due to it holding no surprises for the boy, he found no reason to stop the drooping of his eyelids.

Hours later...

The constant plodding of a lazy horse had not stopped it's drowsying effect upon the boy. But what woke him... was the fact that his uncle was speaking next to him. His blue eyes drifted open with much effort. Considering that it was not even noon yet, it has been about four hours since they left just after dawn. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Link turned his gaze upon that of the bearded old man beside him and to the woman he was addressing next to the cart. Amazingly, she was keeping up with the cart- The cart had just stopped at his uncle's order.

Link was bewildered, to the point he shook his head to ensure that he was not in fact, dreaming again. It certainly felt that way. He chose to listen in on the conversation, since it was happening just beside him after all. Might as well pay attention to it.

But somehow all he heard was a gruff voice, far too close to his right, toward the outside of the cart that spoke in a mocking tone. "Aha! The scrawny boy wakes! Welcome to the land of the living, boy!"

Link turned his head as the conversation between the woman and his uncle ceased. Link was met with the shocking view of a young man, older than Link, but not yet fully matured. Reddish-orange hair crowned his head in the form of a wild ponytail and a small hint of a goatee upon his chin. That hair was in striking contrast with the bronzed skin of much sun exposure. His amber eyes were piercing right into Link's gaze. It was almost... intimidating. The boy, or man, had a strange attire, with attributes that indicated that he was not Hylian. Such as the fact he had rounded ears... like the humans. He was dressed in drab colors of dulled red and brown with a hint of cream. A reddish cloak draped over the dark brown straps and trousers, a ram's horn hanging upon his belt, over a dark colored fur hanging from his belt to just above his knees. Cream colored arm covers were tied with strands of rope over his powerful forearms. The man's shirtless torso showed strength, guessing from the great muscle definition.

"Wh-Who are..." Link started, still in a bit of shock and confusion.

"Ganondorf, these people know nothing. Let us continue about our journey." The woman who had been speaking to Link's uncle interrupted in a touch of a haughty tone. She was scantily clad in what appeared to be desert clothing as well, light pink fabric that was easy to move in. And guessing from the spear within her hands, she knew how to use it.

"Haaaaah." The man known as Ganondorf sighed as he crossed his arms over his chest, the sunlight reflecting upon the red gem crest on his forehead. "Nabooru, worry not. We'll be along on our way without any trouble. The boy here looks hardly capable to protect the old man. Might as well do them a favor, no?" He asked in a playful tone, obviously baiting the younger adolescent.

The boy took the bait. He immediately felt the prick of those words. "Hey!" Link shouted as he jumped to his feet off of the cart, since it wasn't moving. He looked like he was about to sock it to the tanned desert-comer.

Everything that followed happened very, very quickly. Link only vaguely heard his uncle cry out for him to stop, but it was too late. Link found himself picked up off of his feet by the fist grabbing the front of his off-white tunic. Without even time to exclaim in surprise, Link was slammed upon his back on the ground, with a 'whooshing' sound of the air leaving his lungs.

Link opened his eyes, flinching while gasping for breath, letting out a groan of pain. His gaze was met by the smirking individual who downed him.

"See what I mean? The small one is useless." The man chuckled, a jolly glint in his amber eyes. He seems to be enjoying this moment of Link's helplessness. Link's uncle was leaning over the side of the cart to make sure his nephew was unhurt.

"Link? Are you alright?" He called to the now coughing and sputtering boy who was more wounded in his pride than body.

"Don't worry yourself, sir. He's fine." Ganondorf reassured the elder man, jerking Link by the front of his tunic to physically lift him off the ground and too high for his feet to touch said ground before setting him down.

"H-Hey..." Link began to protest, but dared not be as aggressive as before. He didn't fancy a repeat of such an unpleasant experience. The blonde grumpily pushed the bigger boy's hands from his tunic. "Keep your hands off of me." He muttered under his breath, letting a bit of a rebellious tone show. After all, his pride had been hurt and this desert buffoon continued to grin, flashing his white teeth like a horse might.

"Don't worry little one, I'll make sure you live to see Hyrule Castle Town." The young man would have sounded endearing with his patronizing words were it not for the underlying taunt and tone that seemed to insist upon Link's state as helpless and unable to protect himself or his uncle.

Link's face was turning red despite himself. He may normally be a very moderate and gentle individual, but this desert native seems to have a way of needling him to get him so angry, so easily! "Don't patronize me! We'd be fine without you! We've made the journey on our own many times befo-"

Once more, Link found himself unable to finish and lifted off his feet. Only this time he was plopped right back in his seat upon the cart. That Ganondorf was STILL laughing at him. It was driving him mad. He felt like he might burst in rage at the Gerudian male.

"Off to Hyrule Castle Town, then!" Ganondorf announced, ignoring the looks of disapproval upon his party's face. Not just from Link and his uncle... but from the other Gerudians in the group. He seems to do whatever he wants to. And with long strides, Ganondorf walked alongside the cart, easily keeping step with the horse. Link couldn't resist the expression of disgust across his visage. It just isn't right! Why do they have to listen to this seemingly spoiled, overgrown brat within a man's body.

The following journey was unpleasant, to say the least. Between the comments that were given and returned, the Gerudian male was beginning to regret his decision that was made to simply spite the wimpy little man of a Hylian. The needling ended in a sullen truce as both males fell into silence out of the pent up aggression that was obvious between them. Neither one wished to deal with the antics of the other.

But finally, the much desired reprieve was revealed before them. Hyrule Castle Town had been spotted on the horizon by it's unmistakable stone walls and drawbridge. Twin sighs of relief emerged from the two males who had been butting heads since the moment they met. Following the audible indication of relief, the two exchanged looks of surprise at the other, and then a prompt glare for the reaction. Link might have growled ever so slightly.

A huff was his only reply as Ganondorf turned away and headed forward. Just a short stroll to finish the crossing across Hyrule Field should be enough, and once they make it to the marketplace of Hyrule Castle Town, they will NEVER have to see each other again. Ever.

Both young men turned forward after their gazes and reactions had crossed, neither wanting to continue looking at each other. But something strange was happening. In between the group of travelers and their destination... there was a wisping vapor, like smoke that came up from the ground.

"Hold!" Ganondorf roared in an authoritative tone as he held his fist up, ordering the halt of the caravan. His amber eyes narrowed as the shadows grew larger, right before all of them. The wisps continued to get bigger, to slowly form a large, pitch black void in the air above the grassy earth.

"What is that?" Link asked in surprise of the thing, of which the likes he had never seen before. Nabooru narrowed her eyes and was about to reply when Ganondorf cut in.

"Stand back, Hylian!" Ganondorf bellowed as he took a stance to fight in front of the caravan with his comrades beside him. "This is not for the likes of your kind!" Yes, he just insulted them, right to their faces. It is such a great thing he's so honest on his opinions.

"Would you stop? Ever since you-" He never finished, because the sight that met his eyes made him freeze from where he had been starting to rise on the front of the cart. The view of some large beast coming from the shadow like portal... or gateway... or whatever that is. It's large shadowy arms seemed to have a dark haze about it as it sent a sweeping blow of shadowed claws at the wagon from which Link and his uncle sat.

"Hylian!" The tanned male shouted in shock as both the blonde and his uncle were first hurled into the air among splintering planks and falling merchandise meant for Hyrule Castle town. Whether it was intended or not, the Gerudian moved to slash the shadow beast with the long curved spear in his hand, not yet checking on the two who had fallen.

As the clash began between the Gerudians and the shadow beast, Link was pushing up to get to his feet with blood rolling down his head where a board had struck him as he was thrown to the ground. But a horrible scene met his gaze. His uncle lay unmoving, his body surrounded by the remains of the wagon and the fallen boxes. Link knew he had no one to assist him, as all of those hailing from the desert had their hands full.

"Uncle!" He cried as he began to quickly remove the debris from his uncle. Link's heart was racing with panic and worry as he feared the worst. His fear was quickly put to rest when the older man let out a groan of pain. He wasn't killed by the jarring fall! Link could not help but to smile as he grabbed his coat to press against the crimson flow that still stained his uncle's white shirt. While the elder began to regain consciousness, Link took his hand and pressed it to the wound so that he could stop the bleeding on his own.

Link had risen to his feet where he watched the desert dwellers finish off the beast that assailed them with a gust of black shadow like dust. Just as Link was getting ready to rush in and help, it was already over. Ganondorf held a scowl across his firm face as he watched the blackness fade before him.

"Will he live?" He asked of one of his desert companions that he turned to, focusing on her face with his piercing amber eyes. Link's heart skipped a beat when he noticed her hesitation. The healer knelt beside the older man who continued to hold the coat against his wound, though he was growing weaker as the moments ticked by like eternities.

"I will do what I can, but I can promise nothing." The woman admitted softly, reaching into one of the many pouches on her belt to retrieve some kind of herb, acquired from a cactus, perhaps? Link had no way of knowing from whence it came.

"Please save my uncle. Please, I'm begging you." Link requested softly, his expression meek and concerned. What will he do if his uncle dies? The horror of losing his uncle like his parents when he was a child was overwhelming.

"Don't beg, Hylian. It's unbecoming to any man." Ganondorf stated in a firm, but softer tone. He was empathetic to the younger man's plight, yet his proud heritage kept him from being sympathetic in any way but one of great dignity. He knew no other way to comfort the boy.

A trembling of the lips was the only response Link could muster as he straightened up, stepping aside to allow the desert healers to do their work while still others began to move the elder man to a travois drug by one of their horses. Unknowing of what he could do at this point, Link knelt beside the merchandise thrown about in the incident that hurt his uncle.

His tongue felt numb and swollen, his heartbeat pounding in his head like the incessant slamming of a hammer upon an anvil. The state of his body seemed to have only served the purpose of numbing his mind. He was in shock and sick with a deep foreboding in his belly. How had this day turned out this way? Starting with that dream... Things had gone awry. Now his uncle could be dying and all he could do was pick up the busted crates of crafted items like a helpless lad at a loss of things to do.

While shock filled his mind, Link's reverie was broken by the firm hand that rested on his shoulder in a comforting manner. "Worry not, friend Hylian." The baritone voice of the bigger man rumbled forth, saying things in a very different attitude as compared to before. The lower lip of the young man trembled as he looked up at Ganondorf. That was far easier said than done.

"Right..." Link moaned forlornly, trudging forward miserably. Would he lose his uncle as he had his parents?

"Come now, let us go to Hyrule Castle Town. My people will care for your father." The male Gerudian tried to cheer his mournful companion to no avail.

"He is my uncle... and my name is Link..." A soft retort escaped his lips, just ahead of a heavy, heavy sigh.

Ganondorf replied with a reassuring pat on his shoulder. It was time to head for the distant castle now, that loomed in the horizon.

This day was the beginning of the change in Hyrule... a change that had been many generations in the making.