Ganondorf's early years in his adoptive home were marked by moments of innocent curiosity, longing, and a growing sense of the divide between him and the family that took him in.
As a baby, Ganondorf was full of wonder, exploring the world around him. He would crawl around the house, his tiny fingers always reaching for the new and the unknown. One day, he saw a shiny trinket that Link, his adoptive brother, was playing with. Eyes wide with fascination, Ganondorf crawled toward it, gently picking it up in his chubby hands. He blinked at the light reflecting off it, marveling at its brilliance. It was a simple moment, but one that hinted at the sharp mind that would one day grow from this innocent child.
By the age of two, Ganondorf was walking and climbing, always eager to explore. He toddled up to Link, his closest companion, and bumped into him with affection. "Link!" he called, his first spoken word, filled with joy and innocence. His small legs carried him to a nearby table, where he tried to climb, looking up at it with determination. "Up!" he declared, his voice full of excitement for the challenge.
But as the years passed, the warmth of childhood play slowly gave way to a harsher reality. At five years old, Ganondorf began to sense the unspoken divide between him and Link. While they were both raised under the roof of a blacksmith, there were differences in their upbringing that Ganondorf couldn't ignore. Link was allowed to accompany their father on outings and to handle the newly forged swords, while Ganondorf was kept indoors, out of sight from the suspicious glares of the townspeople. His adoptive father, with a gruff voice, would remind him, "That is already a great, after your tribe's betrayal." Though he didn't fully understand the words, Ganondorf could feel the weight of that statement, like a chain tethering him to a past he had no control over.
By the time he was eight, the divide had deepened. One day, as he watched Link play with a practice sword, a burning desire to join in welled up within him. "Can I play?" Ganondorf asked, his eyes bright with hope. But the sword was quickly pulled away from him. "You can't," their father interjected sternly. Ganondorf's face fell. "Why!?" he demanded, frustration boiling over. The blacksmith's eyes hardened. "Because you're a member of a savage tribe," he said coldly. "Just feel lucky you have a roof over your head and food on your plate."
The words cut deep, but Ganondorf learned to hide his hurt. His adoptive father soon announced that he and Link were going out to run errands, leaving Ganondorf behind once again. "You need to stay here," the blacksmith ordered. Ganondorf, masking his disappointment, replied obediently, "Alright, father." As the man took Link's hand and led him toward the door, he gave Ganondorf one final warning. "Don't touch the sword, Ganondorf, or else…" The threat lingered, an ominous reminder of the punishments that followed disobedience.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Ganondorf's obedient mask slipped, revealing a mischievous grin. The words "or else" echoed in his mind, but they did little to deter him. The lure of the forbidden sword was too strong. He snuck to where it was kept, his heart racing with excitement, and snatched it from its place. With the stolen sword in hand, Ganondorf bolted into the forest, the thrill of rebellion rushing through his veins as he escaped into the wilderness, if only for a little while.