The Legend of Zelda is property of Nintendo. And my thanks to Akki45 for being my beta.
The Legend Begins: Ganondorf Dragmire
Chapter 2: To Arms
Ganondorf stood at the head of a long table, looking over the men seated in the hall. Their appearances varied from clean cut and pristine, to hairy and wild. However, despite their varying demeanors and practices, all were united through their experiences in battle.
"Gentlemen," he said, "Thank you all for arriving here so quickly. And my thanks to you, Sir Berend," he added, nodding to a refined blond man near him, "for allowing us to use your manor as a meeting place."
"Always a pleasure, my lord," Sir Berend responded.
"Now," Ganondorf continued, "as some of you may have already heard, King Dalson has declared war."
"We've only been home for two weeks," Sir Holseth, an unkempt and sarcastic knight interjected, "This is His Highness's new record, I believe."
There were a few chuckles around the table. Ganon allowed a small smile to form, but quickly continued his address.
"With whom the King has declared war, I confess that I do not know. This was not mentioned in the notice I received."
There were a few murmurs of phrases such as "as usual." Ganon cleared his throat, and the murmurs immediately ceased as everyone returned their attention to their lord.
"Unfortunately, I have no more information regarding the King's business. You have two days to call the able-bodied men of your villages to arms, and then we ride to Hyrule. Are there any questions?"
All the men remained silent.
"Very well, you are dismissed," Ganon concluded, grateful that the meeting was a short one. All the men began to leave the table and go their separate ways, talking amongst themselves about the current events.
"My lord, could I have a word with you?" Sir Berend requested.
"Certainly," Ganon responded as Berend led him to another room in the manor, dismissing his servants as they entered. After making certain that the doors were closed and they could not be overheard, Berend turned to Ganon.
"First," he said, "am I to ride to war with you or to look after your manor again?"
"You're the only man I trust to watch over my home, Berend," Ganon confided. "I need you to watch over my son and Lady Norana."
"Of course," Berend responded in a satisfied manor.
"Is there anything else?" Ganon asked.
"Yes," Berend answered, though he hesitated for a moment. "I have heard a rumor."
"Oh? What sort?"
"One concerning who we'll be fighting against."
"We hear these rumors all the time," Ganon smiled, "no doubt it's just another monster tribe."
"I know, my friend," Berend sighed, "but this rumor's different. I've heard that Mido Town's citizens were completely slaughtered, but its important buildings and provisions were left unharmed. That's the work of a more organized army than anything the Moblins or other monsters have ever done."
Ganon nodded. He didn't like what he was hearing, but it was nothing they couldn't handle.
"Furthermore, some say that the attackers were led by a man called 'Dragmire.'"
Ganon's eyes widened in shock.
"What?"
"Naturally, these are only rumors, but I thought you should hear this to before arriving in Hyrule. If the people believe that a man named 'Dragmire' is involved, then you may not receive the warmest welcome in Hyrule."
Ganon silently nodded in agreement.
"Certainly. Thank you, Berend."
Ganon walked alone in the moonlight, the cool breeze blowing on his face. Was this true? Had someone of the Dragmire clan really attacked Mido Town?
He had family relations that still bore the name of Dragmire, this he knew, though he had little to no contact at all with them.
Ages beforehand, the Dragmire clan once ruled Hyrule. The dynasty came to an end, however, when the heads of the family became mad with power and oppressed their people. Revolution broke out, and since then the kingdom had been ruled by other clans, periodically changing due to marriages amongst rulers of other kingdoms.
Since their downfall, the Dragmires had drifted, with only a small number remaining in Hyrule.
A sad history, Ganon thought, but there's no reason I have to be like my ancestors. Family or not, he would kill any man that threatened his homeland.
The small force of a hundred men did not stop as Sir Berend took his leave from the rest of the group and made his way to Ganondorf's manor.
I should be there myself, Ganondorf thought sadly, feeling a twinge in his heart as he watched the knight ride off into the distance.
"Two maids, first village, first night! I promise you that!"
"Two is well enough… for a man that's, shall we say, losing his touch?"
Ganon quickly shot an annoyed look at the two men, immediately silencing them.
"I'll slay fifty Moblins by myself!"
"Calm down, lad, that kind of thinking will only get you killed."
"That would certainly save more for the rest of us, though!"
Ganon sighed as he tuned in and out on the conversations around him. His thoughts drifted off to home, wondering what his family was up to.
His son Lucan was almost certainly away from home. He always claimed that he was out hunting with his friends. Ganon and Norana doubted this, but not wanting to be a bother to their son, decided not to pursue the matter. Lucan was almost an adult. He was old enough to make his own decisions.
Norana never spoke much of what happened while Ganon was away. In fact, she was almost always a very quiet woman. She enjoyed nature quite a bit, and would often spend her time in the manor gardens or at nearby springs and meadows.
I hardly ever speak to them, he reflected, rather disgusted with himself. He had this same realization every time he left home, but whenever he returned, he never made a change. He loved his family and knew that they knew it, but everyone had always been distant from one another.
No more empty promises, he vowed. I'm changing things when I return home.
The days passed uneventfully as the company made its way to Hyrule Castle Town. The newer soldiers were awestruck as they passed for the first time into the capital city; its white walls surpassing everything they had imagined.
This was far from the case of Ganondorf and the other more experienced warriors. Certainly, the city's exteriors were amazing to see, or at least they were the first few times. However, the realization that the interior districts were far from pristine eventually tarnished any splendorous effect to be found in the city's exterior and castle. Ganon found it interesting that the city's demeanor was similar to that of the king.
They passed through the city, the townspeople pointing at the soldiers and talking quietly amongst themselves. Ganondorf noticed more than a few angry glances being shot his way, followed by more hushed gossip. He simply shook his head and looked forward.
As they passed by a local church, Ganondorf scanned the nearby crowd. It was customary for the lords of Hyrule to consult with the clergy before heading to battle, and over the years he had become good friends with one of them.
Her name was Katrina, a priestess of Din, the goddess of power. He had first met her nearly ten years earlier, when she was a novice amongst the clerics of the Three Goddesses. She was an assistant to the priest that advised Ganon in his first years as a military leader, and as time passed she took her senior's place.
He looked back to the road to the castle, slightly disappointed that he couldn't find her in the crowd. No matter, he would speak to her before leaving the town.
They finally made their way past the crowd and reached the castle itself. Whilst the younger soldiers were once again amazed by the sight of the castle, Ganondorf noticed that it certainly was dirtier than normal. The castle's stones were darker, the Hyrulean banners were faded and frayed, and some of the drawbridge's wood was starting to rot.
The guards allowed them to enter without trouble. The infantry were taken to another part of the castle as Ganondorf and the village leaders were ushered to the King's meeting room.
Finally, I'll get some answers, Ganon thought to himself.
The servant opened the door, revealing several lords of Hyrule either pacing impatiently, or sitting with highly irritated expressions.
"The King will attend to you all in a few hours," the servant nonchalantly informed Ganondorf, closing the door behind him before Ganondorf could protest.
"This is going to be a long day," he muttered under his breath.
