The King of Red Lions

The King of Red Lions is a talking sailboat that Link meets early in the game. It is with this boat that he is able to move from one island to another on the Great Sea. Good-spirited and filled with wisdom, the King of Red Lions was one of Link's greatest allies. The boat speaks to him, explaining what to do next and what's going on. Later in the game, it is revealed that the boat is operated magically by King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, preserved under the sea — this explains the name, since Hyrule's emblem is a red lion.

The King can speak the ancient Hylian tongue, and often does so on Link's behalf. On the second playthrough the player can read these words, but in the first playthrough the character cannot understand the language.

The King of Red Lions is seen by the end of the game, but appears completely lifeless, as the King himself has died. Eiji Aonuma has stated that the boat will not reappear in Phantom Hourglass.