The Legend of Zelda is property of Nintendo.

My thanks to Akki45 for being my ever-faithful beta reader.

NOTICE-

This story is a prequel to my other Legend Begins fanfiction. While some of the events in this story will be more meaningful to those who have read the other stories, it is not necessary to read them in order to understand this fanfic (though consider yourself encouraged to do so at some point!).

The Legend Begins: Ganondorf Dragmire

By Janus3003

Chapter 1: Leaving Again

Geoff, son of Artrey, was a Hylian soldier stationed in his hometown of Mido. He loved his home and relished the chance to give something back to it. He knew every part of it and had stories to share about almost every location within the city.

Now it burned all around him.

Having just regained consciousness, Geoff, the last survivor of the attack on Mido, pushed the rubble off of himself, furiously charging back into the streets of the town. The heat of the flames was unbearable, but his pulsing adrenaline allowed him to ignore the pain as he continued to cut down any bandit who noticed him.

Nothing but fiery rage filled his heart. He roared like a madman as he charged through the smoke and flames toward the ringleaders of the attack on his hometown.

Another bandit got in Geoff's way, but the soldier quickly struck his enemy in the face with his sword, killing him immediately.

He looked ahead, seeing the leader of this rabble laughing and having a casual conversation with his subordinates regarding their recent pillaging. Growling, Geoff charged forward.

Without warning, there was a blast of light, and Geoff fell to the ground, his legs tied together by glowing magic chains. Desperate, furious, and not caring for reason, Geoff grasped his sword and began to drag himself across the ground.

"That's far enough, I think!" a bandit laughed, stepping on Geoff's hand and causing him to cry out in pain.

Another bandit grabbed Geoff by his blond hair and pulled his head back.

"You'd think that we'd killed somebody he liked!" the bandit mocked, spitting in Geoff's face as more men kicked and beat the Hylian soldier. Several arms harshly grabbed him, carrying him to the small gathering of bandits.

They threw him on the ground and formed a circle around him and another man. A bandit pulled on Geoff's hair, forcing Geoff to look at his enemy. His hair was red and his skin darker than that of most Hylians. He was not a very broad man, but he carried an air of confidence about him, as well as an impression of someone who cared little for the pains of others. His dark eyes held nothing but spite.

"Well, it seems that we have a survivor," the man said in his chilling voice. "I was worried that we had gotten carried away. This certainly makes things easier for me."

Geoff said nothing. Despite the chains on his legs, he tried to rise and attack, but the nearby bandits promptly beat him back to the ground. The man did not seem to notice.

"King Dalson will hear of this," Geoff growled, "By destroying this town, youve committed an act of war against the entire nation of Hyrule!"

The man laughed.

"My dear boy," he said, "I want our most beloved king to hear of this." He removed a small canister from his pouch.

"In fact," he continued, "I have a letter to his Highness right here, informing him of my actions and my further plans." He bent over and placed the canister beneath Geoff's chin, raising his face to meet his.

"And you," the bandit leader said, "are going to deliver it for me. We'll give you a horse and you'll be off to Hyrule to let King Dalson raise the alarm. We'll even let you keep the horse for your trouble."

"My lord," another bandit said, "has the letter been sealed? It is royal business, after all."

"Oh yes, of course!" the leader replied. "Thank you, I had nearly forgotten. Bring me my seal, if you dont mind."

A moment passed, and Geoff's face was raised again. His eyes widened as the bandit leader approached him with a glowing hot branding iron, the end molded in the shape of a trident with a circle on each side of the shaft.

He shook and struggled, fear filling his heart, but the bandits held him down. Geoff cried out in pain as the iron was pressed against his forehead, steam hissing as the searing heat imprinted the seal.

Finally, the branding iron was removed, Geoff still groaning in pain. The bandits all laughed as tears came to Geoffs eyes. Ashamed, he looked to the ground.

The bandit leader grabbed his face and looked him in the eyes.

"Tell all of Hyrule," he snarled, "that I, Tathis Dragmire, am coming to take what is rightfully my family's."

Within moments, Geoff found himself tied to a horse bound for Hyrule Castle.

One week later...

"Inform his Highness that I will be there as requested."

The messenger bowed himself out and left the manor. Ganondorf Dragmire, vassal of Hyrule, stood by the window, sighing as he looked over the countryside. His lands.

He had just returned home not two weeks earlier. His mission had been to put down a small uprising amongst a tribe of Goriyas, a savage, bipedal race of wolves in Hyrule. While some military action was necessary, Ganon had been successful in subduing them with no deaths. Furthermore, thanks to his skills as a diplomat, he had even managed to earn the respect of the tribe.

He sighed again, turning and walking down the corridors of his spacious manor. How was he going to explain this to Norana?

He opened the door to the parlor. Norana was on the sofa, simply looking out the window and daydreaming.

Ganon sighed. His relationship with his wife had always been somewhat strained. Ganondorf constantly left for his military duties as a lord of Hyrule and would often be gone for months at a time, though this was partially due to his own wanderlust and curiosity of the unknown corners of Hyrule, and he would leave the manor in the care of a local knight by the name of Berend.

Furthermore, their families had arranged their marriage when they were but children. Nevertheless, Ganondorf Dragmire had cherished and treated Norana as best he could. He loved her.

"Norana?" he said softly.

"Oh, hello, darling," she responded, turning and giving him a sort of forced smile. It bit at his heart. Theyd been married long enough for Norana to know exactly what was going on.

"Where is Lucan?"

"Out with his friends, as usual."

Lucan was Ganon and Norana's only child. Already a young adult, he had taken after his father and was also given to being away most of the time.

Ganon sat next to her, placing an arm around her shoulder and tenderly kissing her on the lips.

"My, you're affectionate today," she remarked.

"Norana," he paused for a moment. He didn't want to go through this again. He didn't want to leave.

"I know, love," she said softly. "I know about the call to arms."

Ganon was confused.

"How did you find out before me?" he asked.

"Gossip and bards travel faster than King Dalson's heralds, dear, you know that."

Ganon's lips stretched in a small smile. He'd never dare say it out in the open, but King Dalson wasn't known for his efficiency and speed.

"I suppose I do."

"When do you report?"

"I have to be in Hyrule Town in one week, so that only gives me a few days to call the men of our lands to arms. I leave in the morning."

Norana simply nodded.

"I'll be here when you get back. Stay safe."

Ganon and Norana sat silently holding hands for a time, until Ganon took his leave. He had to send messages to his lieutenants and inform them of the change of events. He walked down the halls, thinking of his conversation with Norana. Most would find her odd for her easy acceptance of Ganons call to duty, but at the moment, he was grateful for it.

Now he had to focus on bringing death to whoever was threatening his home.