We're gonna say something went wonky this cycle and instead we end up with skinny teen Ganondorf somehow ending up in the care of middle-aged Zelda and Link
I think this is probably a fostering/political hostage situation, given that the Gerudo Desert is often portrayed as conquered territory or a client state to Hylia
Oh hey you should let us educate him we'll take good care of him why are we amassing troops at the edge of the desert? oh no reason seriously though send us the kid we'll send him back when he's 25 and loyal to us
I think Zelda is an early-game antagonist who has to be evaded or outwitted rather than overpowered, but not the actual villain. There's something else cosmic and Bad going on that Ganondorf twigs to first as the protagonist and she isn't willing to listen because Gerudo Hostage Taking Initiative Is Scawwy
Link is... I feel like he's a mentor figure who gets less kneejerk Gerudo Aren't Allowed To Make Sudden Moves than Zelda does but also isn't willing to openly defy her so like. Tutorial section at the start of the game and then maybe he helps Ganondorf sneak out of Castle Town or something but can't provide any further support.