Rafton had always lived on the edge of the sea, spending hours upon hours perfecting the art of building small, yet durable rafts. At the moment, any long term sea travel could only be accomplished by the use of large sea vessels. Small boats were only reserved for short trips over a lake or river. Despite his youth, Rafton hoped to be the first to design small boats that could be used for a single person on a journey across the ocean. Those who had a knack for adventure would certainly appreciate such an invention, he could imagine.
However, try as he might, Rafton's many attempts had failed. His rafts could not hold up to the salinity of the water for long haul trips. If he found a material that could withstand the waters, then his problem came with such a small boat being able to cut through powerful waves and the rage that the sea no doubt held. As he scraped models and repeatedly ran test trials, he finally was able to design a model that he was very sure would hold up. However, there was one major flaw with this design in particular.
The raft required rope to be held securely together. He needed rope that would not decay in water, and that, in his knowledge, did not exist as of yet. He was a builder, not an inventor, and so such a material did not seem obtainable for him.
Disheartened, he thought about abandoning this farfetched dream of his, and perhaps moving into Castle Town to find a proper job. He was a still a young man, and could take up an apprenticeship with a blacksmith or baker. He could certainly continue to build small boats for short trips up rivers and lakes, but he felt that it would constantly be a reminder of his failure. On one evening, he had finally set his heart on packing up his belongings and leaving the seaside for Hyrule proper. It was time to move on and begin life anew, he had convinced himself.
That night, Rafton had a strange dream. He found himself standing at the threshold of his small cabin as a small figure, presumably a child, walked towards him. Behind the child was a beacon of light that brought an inexplicable feeling of elation and hope to his heart. Yet, as the boy continued to come closer, a palpable shadow of darkness seemed to intermingle with the light, bringing fear and despair in its wake. The young man could not take his eyes off the oddity of what he was seeing as the darkness did not overpower the light, nor did the light overpower the darkness. It was as if they were coexisting together. He found himself feeling the same way as the child approached, unsure whether to welcome or flee from the boy. Finally, the child came to a stop in front of him. Clad in a tunic that was much too large for him, the red-haired boy looked up at him, his intense blue eyes filled with determination. He handed him an unexpected yet fantastical gift; rope that did not decay underwater.
It was then that Rafton woke up, and found himself in his bed. Blinking, his head turned to the window in his small bedroom, noticing that it was still night time. He took a deep breath as his forearm came to rest across his forehead. What a strange dream that was, that a boy of all people would bring him what he needed! It must have been a sign that he had become a bit too obsessive with his dream, and that it was time to let go. It made his resolve stronger to leave this place and find himself a new career.
Yet, for some reason, as Rafton woke up that morning, there was a feeling deep in his heart that told him to wait. As he tried to set these odd thoughts aside and began to pack a couple of his things, the feeling grew stronger to the point where it almost became unbearable. Sighing, he halted his preparations. Perhaps he should follow his intuition for now and remain a little longer. After all, the seaside is what he had known all his life. He could continue to work on the large sea vessels that arrived at port and build small, temporary boats. It was a much safer bet than venturing into an unknown area, that was for sure.
It had been a little over a month later, as Rafton was preparing his breakfast before heading out for the day, that he heard someone knocking at his door. Wondering who in this village would come to visit him this early in the morning, he went and opened his door. He found himself stumbling back, eyes wide in shock as he was staring at a young boy with red hair and blue eyes, donning an oversized green tunic. Seeing the young man's reaction, the child could not help but giggle, his eyes shining in mirth.
"Are you Rafton by any chance?" the boy asked, a grin on his face. Rafton could not help but blink, his heart hammering hard in his chest. This was the exact same kid he had seen in his dream! Could it be possible? Could this child have the one thing that kept him from fulfilling his ultimate dream?
"Do…do you have it?" Rafton stuttered instinctively, still trying to get over his shock. He only realized that his question was rather vague when the boy gave him an inquisitive look. The child rocked back and forward on his heels, apparently thinking about something. He suddenly stopped, his mischievous grin returning to his youthful face as he looked at the young raft builder.
"I need a raft to travel to the nearby isles," the boy explained. "I was told by everyone around here that you were the one to ask." Rafton, hearing the child's inquiry, finally got a hold of himself. He took a moment to take in the boy and what he was implying. Judging from the bright red hair and tan skin, he would assume the boy was from the desert, possibly a Gerudo. He was sure that the Gerudo were a tribe consisting only of women though. He supposed the boy could have easily been from a seafaring tribe as well; the people living by the ocean were prone to deep tans after all. Besides that oddity, what the kid was suggesting was somewhat ludicrous. He could not be older than seven or eight years old. How could this boy want to take a raft and take a precarious journey alone across the sea? As the older person between the two, he should have not let this child entertain such dangerous ideas.
Then again, he recalled his dream. This was the same boy, there was absolutely no doubt. He had often heard of Hyrule's queen and her prophetic dreams. Perhaps he had experienced something similar? This had to be a meeting of fate, he was sure of it! It could not be mere coincidence!
"Ah yes, I am Rafton, and I do build rafts," he began. "However, if you need a vessel to travel the isles, I'm afraid I don't really have one for you that can. It may take you to one isle before it is rendered useless." The child's face fell for a moment in thought before his eyes brightened again in realization.
"Yeah, everyone in town was telling me that you were building a raft that could carry people across the ocean like a big ship could, but that you were missing rope that would not decay in water." Saying this, the boy reached into a pouch hanging by his waist. Rafton watched in awe as he managed to pull out a large amount of rope from the little satchel as if it were magic. He smiled as he held the rope out to the young raft builder, his face full of confidence.
"A while back, I helped this inventor named Cheval get rid of some pesky moblins that were surrounding his house," the boy explained. "As a reward, he gave me a sample of his newest invention; rope that doesn't rot in water! He said that since I travel a lot, I would probably be the best person to test if it works." Rafton's mouth hung open in surprise as his eyes fell on the object the kid was handing him. He could not believe that his dream and his intuition had proven to be correct. Could this really be what he sought? Could his invention and dreams finally become a reality?
It was almost on instinct that Rafton scooped the young child in his arms, giving him the hardest hug he had ever given anyone in a while. The boy squirmed as he laughed in his ear, amused with his reaction. Rafton could feel that there was something special about this kid, those conflicting feelings of happiness and fear he had experienced in his dream reappearing for the briefest of moments. However, that was crushed by the complete elation that filled his chest at finally being able to build the vessel that was the culmination of all his greatest efforts.
"This is exactly what I needed to complete my raft!" Rafton exclaimed as he put the child down. "As thanks, you will be the first one to try it out and keep it, free of charge!" The boy grinned, happy that Rafton was able to pull through for him. Having his own vessel to travel would make things much easier and faster than always having to hitch a ride on a larger ship. Rafton looked down at the boy, unable to hide his expression of pure joy.
"What is your name kid? I should thank you properly." Rafton said, a wide smile stretching across his face. The boy smiled just as big in return, clearly happy that he had gotten the raft builder what he needed, and would get a free vessel in return.
"My name is Ganny!" the child said with a smile. His Papa had told him to never share his real name with anyone just yet. Apparently people knew that a boy named Ganondorf was the prince of the Gerudo, and that information was better kept secret. No one would ever guess that the Gerudo prince was out and about travelling, after all, especially as a hero. The Gerudo kings had a certain reputation for becoming demon kings after all.
Rafton chuckled as he patted the boy's head. It was then he took acute notice of the sword and shield he had strapped to his back, just the right size for him to wield. Even though he still had his doubts on allowing a little kid to go off on his own, he had a feeling that everything would be alright. Ganny had said he had taken down moblins to receive this precious reward, did he not?
"Alright Ganny, just give me a couple of days to build and test run this thing, and it's all yours!"
The first long haul raft Rafton had built proved to be a complete success. The boy had travelled all the isles and had returned with the vessel in excellent shape. Though Rafton insisted he keep it, Ganny was adamant that he didn't really need it where he was going. On the other hand, by being provided with the specialized rope, Rafton was capable of duplicating the result, and built several rafts. It turned out that many people were interested in these small vessels that could make long journeys across the ocean. As the years trickled by, he had established a very successful business around building these small boats. That dream had indeed been a prophetic one; he could have never hoped for such an unprecedented outcome had he decided to leave and find something else.
On the other hand, stories began to trickle into his village of a young boy with hair as bright as fire and eyes as cool as ice that was a skilled warrior. He heard tales of great beasts being felled by the little hero, and of the various ways in which he helped regular people. Rafton could not help but smile knowingly as he listened to these tales; after all, the kid had brought joy into his life by making him so successful in the pursuit of his dreams. He would have loved to have gone and thanked the boy, who he was certain was a man now, personally, but had failed to ask him from where he hailed. He was still sure the child was from the desert, given some of his distinct features, but to take such a precarious journey into a land known for its brutal warriors would be foolhardy at best. Rafton could only hope that someday he would pass through their village again so that he could thank him properly.
As Rafton was filling out orders for new rafts at home, a knock came at his door. He sighed; he had specifically told the workers at the building site not to disturb him as he would come over there himself later. Perhaps it was an emergency, as he knew the workers were good, responsible men. As he opened the door, he found himself staring into the chest of a rather large man. Blinking in surprise, he tilted his head upward, meeting the man's intense blue gaze. His hair was long and fiery, tied back and braided, and his fitted black tunic showed off the powerful body that he bolstered. Along the gauntlets and boots that he donned was cloth that the bore distinct patterns that Rafton immediately pinned as being Gerudo in origin. What gave away the fact that he was a Gerudo was the topaz jewel that rested on his forehead, an ornament only the desert folk wore as far as he knew. Slung across his back were two blades, one that was obsidian black and another with a brilliant white blade. Yet, as Rafton looked into this large man's eyes, he could sense the familiarity behind that gaze. He knew who this man was.
"Ganny?" Rafton inquired in awe. The man let out a deep laugh, though its pacing and tempo were very much alike to the little boy that had come seeking his help years ago. This was indeed the same person; who would have thought that the child would grow up to become this giant of a man that stood before him?
"It is good that you still remember me Rafton," he chuckled. "Though, I would prefer that you now call me Ganondorf. That is my proper name." The raft builder felt his eyes go as wide as saucers as he heard the name; this was the Gerudo King, famously known as the Hero King in Hyrule Proper. Rafton's guess had proven to be correct regarding his origins, though he would have never imagined that the wandering child would have been royalty. It wasn't very often that princes and princesses were permitted to wander off, let alone take a precarious journey by themselves.
"I…I am very surprised. I mean, you've really grown into quite the man I must say. " Rafton said, still very shocked with what he was seeing. "Please do come in though; you are quite welcome here, your Majesty." The Gerudo simply laughed at the title as he bent his head, passing through the doorway and into the raft builder's home. Rafton could still not get over how large this man was as the top of his head grazed the ceiling of his home. The little boy that he had so easily scooped up in his arms years ago was now a warrior that could probably crush his skull within his fist without much effort.
"I won't keep you for too long Rafton, as I can see you are rather busy," Ganondorf said as he scratched his beard in thought. "I came by to see if I could purchase one of your vessels again, as the last one I used was rather nifty I must say. This journey is going to be taking a while so I believe I will be keeping this one permanently this time." Rafton, upon hearing this, laughed as he gave the large man a playful nudge against his muscled arm.
"You talk as if I would mind! You are the very reason I have been so successful!" Rafton exclaimed as he pulled the man towards his kitchen. "I never had the opportunity to properly thank you. I had even considered seeking you out, though I never knew where I should even start to look for you. I never imagined that you would actually be the king of the Gerudo, of all people!" Ganondorf grinned as he stood inside the kitchen, watching the raft builder shuffle along as he prepared tea and offered him some biscuits and sweets to eat which he accepted without much complaint. He had always had a sweet tooth after all.
"Yes, well, at the time I erred on the side of caution when it came to revealing my true identity," Ganondorf answered as he took the teacup being handed to him by the raft builder. "Not many people are fond of the Gerudo, though I believe their perception is slowly changing." Rafton found himself agreeing with the Gerudo man; he had done well in keeping his true origin to himself as he would have been targeted for that sole reason. Though, as the accomplishments of the man before him spread far and wide throughout the land, he knew that the people had begun to see the Gerudo in a better light. He supposed the leader of a people had the influence to leave such an impression regarding his tribe.
"If you don't mind me asking," Rafton said as he took a sip of tea from his own cup, "if you are King, how is it that you are travelling alone and for so long?" Ganondorf looked thoughtful for a moment, nibbling on a cookie as he deliberated his answer. He sighed longingly as he finished the treat, and looked at the raft builder.
"I guess the best way I could say this is that I'm not really like any other king," the Gerudo explained. "I am saddled with other responsibilities due to my lineage. I am undertaking this very journey to sort out these…responsibilities, in fact. I have an excellent Second in Command however, and she handles the affairs of the Gerudo while I am away." With that, the Gerudo fell silent once more, taking a deep drink from his tea cup. Rafton could tell that he was done divulging any more information. He found himself thinking about the dream he had years ago, and of the light and darkness that had followed Ganondorf in his wake. For some reason, he had a feeling that it had a lot to do with this man's journey, though he decided to keep that to himself. He did not wish to make the man uncomfortable or angry by prying into his personal business.
After they had finished their snack, Rafton took the Gerudo King out to the docks, where he gave him the best of his rafts, and the biggest one he could find of course. Despite Ganondorf insisting that he pay him, the raft builder refused to accept it. This would be his thanks to the man for helping him fulfill his dream, he had told him. With a shake of his head, the Gerudo accepted the gift without further complaint. Once the vessel was loaded with his belongings and his two distinct, yet unusual swords, he hoped onto the raft and looked at Rafton with a grin. He was ready to depart it seemed.
"I wish you safety upon your journey," Rafton said with a nod. "Hopefully, you will find what you seek." Ganondorf simply waved in thanks as he set the raft and its sail, giving it the push it needed to begin its trip across the water. As the raft builder watched from the shoreline, he honestly wished the man would find what he sought, just like he had found his own calling in fulfilling his own dreams. After all, for someone who made it his business to help everyone in being a hero and a king, he probably deserved it more than anyone else.