The Tragedy of Ganondorf: the Burden of the King

by WearinOTheGreen

2 assumptions for LoZ OOT storyline: 1. Ganondorf is not 'wholly evil'. He was forced into a tough position, made some good and bad choices which led to tragedy. He was a victim of his environment and historical context. 2. Link and Zelda are neither 'wholly good' nor 'wholly evil'. They took advantage of the situation around them for their benefit, and to the detriment of others.

11. Feasting and Dancing with the Gorons

As Link came upon the Gorons, they had begun using bomb flowers to try to clear some of the rocks and rubble from the entrance to the cavern system in preparation for the Gerudo laborers promised by Ganondorf. After some effort they were able to clear the rubble from the cavernous entrance. However, the dodongos had become even more numerous due to the heat trapped within the caverns when they were partially sealed. This left little space to maneuver for the Goron foraging parties. Limited rock quantities were returned. In spite of all of this, Link volunteered to assist the foraging parties and even killed several of the larger dodongos himself. Darunia noted Link's willingness to put himself in danger for the Gorons, and it pleased him.

As the week passed, they were able to recover enough rock sirloin for a small feast. Knowing the unease settling over the Goron tribe, Darunia called for a night-long feast to rejuvenate the spirits. Having seen Link play the ocarina, he contracted his new friend to play dancing music. Link obliged with some music from the Kokiri Forest, saving a few tunes Saria had taught him for last. Darunia remembered the last tune as one he heard in his visits to the Kokiri forest when he assumed the throne. This pleased him even more, and he soon found himself enjoying Link's company nearly alone.

As the night was winding down, Darunia met with Link to gauge him more fully. "What is it you're looking for, my boy?" he inquired. "I see the work you do in assisting us with foraging rocks in the dangerous caverns, and you seem to be a stronger warrior than most of the Goron guards despite your young age. I wonder if you ask for anything in return, or in your youth and naivety you simply want to lend your energy to a people in need?"

Link stared back, trying to comprehend what he should share. "The Great Deku Tree tasked me with finding my own way. She raised me as one of her own Kokiri, but I am a Hylian. The differences are more noticeable with age, so it was only a matter of time before I would need to act on these differences. There are no other Hylians in Kokiri Forest, so the only step I could take was to seek out my own. I had visited Castle Town previously and met some people there, but I wanted to see Kakariko Village as the second most populous area for Hylians. When I heard of the troubles on Death Mountain, I wondered if I might be of assistance. It seems I have been."

He paused for a second, weighing his words carefully for a boy. "The Great Deku Tree is dying, Darunia. We will be without our matriarch soon. There is no leader who can match her from among the Kokiri, although I know Saria will try."

At this Darunia nodded. "I have met Saria and I approve of her. A bit hot-headed and emotional, but I believe she has the best interests of the Kokiri in mind. I would do what I can to help her and the Kokiri."

At this Link showed the emerald, noting that the Great Deku Tree charged him with finding Ganondorf and showing him the emerald as a sign of her blessing on Link.

Darunia stared back in wonder. This child had a deep understanding of the way of the world and of life's meaning already at such a young age. "I hope you find more time to be joyful and playful like last night. It isn't all work and stress, my new friend. There will be times of sorrow and times of joy, and you have to learn to navigate the extremes and everything in between with equal regard. I am uneasy with Death Mountain these days. The seismic activity is getting worse. No one in our tribe was alive during a previous eruption, but we have heard the stories passed down. I also wish to give you the gift given by the Gerudo King. I wonder if you might be able to interact with him in a way we cannot. Plus, you may be able to use the priceless jewels as bargaining chips at some point. Gerudo wares truly are Hyrule-renowned."

He handed Link the Goron ruby, and Link felt the heft in his hand. There seemed to be some level of predestination in this, but he couldn't tell yet if it was lovely or terrifying. They continued to talk for the rest of the night. In the mid-morning Link descended down Death Mountain to travel up Zora River and speak with the Zoras there.