I was playing the original Nintendo "The Legend of Zelda" the other day and I walked away wondering just who was Link fighting throughout the majority of the game?
The creatures in the overworld are very likely Ganon's minions, but what of the dungeons? The story presented in the game is that Ganon stole the Triforce of Power and wanted to get his hands on the Triforce of Wisdom but Princess Zelda (somehow) broke apart the latter Triforce into eight pieces and hid them away in monster-infested dungeons before being captured by Ganon.
Are the creatures in the dungeons just random monsters or are they loyal to the ruling family of Hyrule and just never got the message that Link actually intends to defeat Ganon (somehow) using the Triforce of Wisdom? It's obviously not clear nor does it help that many of the enemies you've fought in those dungeons are also present in Ganon's level (with the exception of the Lanmola and Patra which I can assume are the only definite servants to Ganon in the dungeon levels of the game).
If it's the former, then damn Zelda's got some skills, right? She evaded being slain by all that shit and managed to hide the fragments away. But somehow I doubt that. Not because I think Zelda is just a girl or something sexist like that but because the Triforce pieces are clearly being guarded. The rooms the pieces are in are preceded by intimidating monsters like the Manhandala and Gleeok dragons (maybe not so much Aquamentus...).
Zelda II strongly gave the impression the palaces Link fought in to undo the binding spell on the Great Palace were patrolled by parties loyal to Hyrule and tried to kill Link because, well...that's what they do (all while being unaware that by doing so, Link's blood will be used to restore Ganon to life making things even worse...nice job breaking the kingdom, guards!). They're certainly not going to take Link on his word that he's only trying to help and Zelda obviously couldn't vouch for him because she had been rendered magically comatose (apparently there's no King or Queen of Hyrule who could tell these guards to stand down).
Therefore, it's possible to assume that the creatures in the original game's dungeons are loyal to Hyrule and not Ganon. It would then make sense that Ganon kidnapped Zelda in an effort to use her extortionately to have someone else gather the pieces of the Triforce because I guess Ganon is not powerful enough (despite being able to turn invisible) or brave enough to tackle Hyrule's dungeons himself (seriously, what's SUPPOSED to be in those dungeons when they aren't being used to house Triforce fragments? What kind of society is Hyrule?).
Instead he's holed himself up in Spectacle Rock and barring anyone from entering his palace unless they've come bearing the Triforce of Wisdom. Then, he would betray the bearer by sicking his minions on him/her. When the bearer died, Ganon could simply take the Triforce and rule. I'm sure Zelda's fate would not be a desirable one.
Also logic would dictate that if they were loyal to Ganon, why aren't they just taking the pieces of the Triforce to him to begin with? Ganon needs that Triforce to cement his rule. It wouldn't behoove him to leave them lying about for some dickwad like Link to recover.
The only trouble with this scenario is the presence of those same enemies in prior dungeons. Even the entrance is guarded by an old man like the one who gives you a (shitty) sword at the start of your quest. Maybe they're formally loyal servants who have been seduced by Ganon...or more likely, it's the memory limitations of the NES in 1987.
It may have also been an oversight.
But they could have also very well, despite those limitations, put the enemies of the overworld inside that final dungeon and thus not added to the game's memory burden. It could've been guarded by a Moblin instead of an old man demanding the Triforce before letting you enter. Hell...it could've taken the Triforce from you to let you pass (in the same manner as the hungry Goriya and for extra tension, the entryway gate could've slammed shut as the other three sealed doors opened, letting you know you've been tricked and that you're "supposed" to die here).
A lost opportunity...
I also can't imagine the guilt trip Link must have to live with knowing that, over the course of two games, he's slaughtered loyal servants to Hyrule in order to save a single princess. That's gonna be some costly therapy...
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