Nayru (Oracle)

Nayru, the Oracle of Ages, is a recurring character in.

Oracle of Ages
Nayru first appears in the game,, which is, of course, named after her title. She is a singer with one of the finest voices ever heard in Labrynna. However, her true identity as the Oracle of Ages is exposed when Veran possesses her, in order to take control of Nayru's ability to control the flow of time.

Nayru is a very peaceful person. She enjoys singing, and it is this that has made her popular throughout the land, among Humans and Animals alike. She attracts both when she sings. Her personality is somewhat timid, but judging from her actions, she'll do whatever she can to help a friend in need, or Link. Ralph, her protector whom she has known since they were both children, is a close friend of hers, and never far away.



Nayru also possesses a mystical instrument known as the Harp of Ages, which allows Link (and presumably whoever holds it) to shift through the folds of time, when the right songs are played. However, Nayru will also use the Harp for simply playing a tune on occasion. As the Oracle of Ages, Nayru has no true need for the Harp of Ages, as she is capable of moving through time at a whim. It is quite likely that Nayru herself created the Harp of Ages.

Possessed Nayru

 * ''See also: Possessed Nayru

Possessed Nayru is a name given to Nayru while she is possessed by Veran. She was initially possessed in the opening scenes of the game, where the handful of witnesses included Impa, Ralph and Link. Everyone else, aside from the nearly-omniscient Maku Tree, is unaware of the possession, and still believe she is the pure Oracle of Ages. With Nayru serving as her cloak, Veran begins to malevolently advise Queen Ambi's decisions in the past, which affect both the past age's citizens, and the present age in which Link initially resides.

One notable influence Veran gave was to seal off Ambi's Palace from casual visitors, barring both Link and Ralph from attacking Veran directly. Another was to discreetly confiscate all Mystery Seeds, the only known way to harm a possessing Veran without also hurting the possessed. Early in the game, Link unknowingly offered his seeds to the Queen and her adviser in order to temporarily enter the Palace and meet Veran face-to-face. He was still able to gain more Mystery Seeds later in the game, however.

After obtaining the Lonely Peak, Queen Ambi leaves her Palace, dropping the guard enough for Link to penetrate the castle's defenses and reach Possessed Nayru. Once Link is victorious in the ensuing battle, Nayru will be freed from Veran's grasp, and teach Link the Tune of Ages. Veran herself will instead possess Queen Ambi, a possession that will remain until the significantly tougher final boss fight in Black Tower.

The Minish Cap
Nayru also appears in, where it is mentioned that she descends from a long line of oracles in Labrynna. She is one of the three ladies in the Happy Hearth Inn (along with Din and Farore). In exchange for help finding a house, she will be able to give Link a Charm. Nayru's charm boosts defense and turns Link's tunic blue for the short duration of the effect.

Manga
In the Oracle of Ages manga, after seeing her capture in the future, Nayru placed a barrier around a forest to hide herself. Only a person with the Triforce mark on their hand could undo it. When Veran possesses Impa, she tricks Link into opening the barrier, entering the forest. As they do so, Nayru senses the presence of light and darkness, becoming disturbed. Soon, Link and a possessed Impa enter the glade, where Nayru sits with the Harp of Ages. She welcomes Link, introducing herself as the Oracle of Ages. Nayru then peers into his future, commenting that his story will be told for generations. Link at first doesn't believe she speaks about him, but Nayru insists her prophesy is true. Possessed Impa then asks if Nayru can see her fate, the oracle answering that she can, which is why she concealed herslf. Although, the oracle states that she can't outwit the Goddess of Time herself. With that, Veran reveals her possession of Impa. In vain, the forest animals attack her, but Veran switches from Impa's body to Nayru. She then travels to Labrynna's past, and begins her plan for the Twinrova, with Nayru as her host.

After a skirmish with Nayru's childhood friend and guardian, Ralph, Link uses the Harp of Ages to enter Labrynna's past. There, he learns that Veran is using Nayru to manipulate Queen Ambi, in an effort to construct a massive black tower. With the aid of Sir Raven and eventually Ralph, Link then battles to overcome Veran and rescue not only Labrynna, but Nayru as well.

When Sir Raven is captured for execution, Link, Ralph, and many others come to his rescue. Link tells Queen Ambi that the Captain stills loves her, revealing that the reason why Ambi had agreed to the tower's construction was because she wanted him to see and remember her. Ambi cancels building the tower, enraging Veran. Veran releases Nayru from her influence, and instead possess Ambi, commanding her guards to capture Link, Ralph, and Sir Raven. Before any harm can be done, Nayru awakens, and teleports the group to Labrynna's future.

Back in the present, Ralph embraces his friend and starts crying, causing Nayru to laugh and call him a "softy". Nayru tells of Veran's Mystery Seed weakness, and brings them all back to the past, where she knows to find them. Nayru and the her companions find the Hidden Villagers in a cave, and shows that Roperi's plant is actually a Mystery Tree sprout. Nayru begins to play her harp to speed the sprout's growth, yet Ralph leaves the cave, set on killing Ambi himself, if it meant destroying Veran and saving Nayru, even at the cost of his existence. Alarmed, Nayru tells Link that Ralph is Ambi's direct descendant. If she dies, he'll be erased. As Ralph confronts a possessed Ambi, Nayru hurriedly speeds up the sprout's growth. Once the tree finally produces a seed, Nayru brings it to Link, who quickly rushes with Sir Raven to Ralph.

Together, Ralph, Link, and Raven defeat Veran, but are too late. Sacrificing themselves, the Twinrova resurrect Ganon. The trio and Queen Ambi's army take down demonic beast, restoring happiness and light to Labrynna. Queen Ambi thanks and bids farewell to Link, Ralph, and Nayru. Nayru plays her harp, sending them back to modern day Labrynna.

Nayru is last seen with Ralph, Impa, and Princess Zelda at Hyrule Castle, supposedly having a meal together. The princess thanks both Ralph and Nayru for what they've done, but Nayru says that Link was the true hero.

Trivia

 * Early concept art for Nayru depicts her holding a paintbrush and palette, indicating that she was originally planned to be an artist. This is in keeping with the knowledge that Mystical Seed of Wisdom was going to feature color themed gameplay mechanics.

Etymology
The name Nay in Chinese means "highness and grace" while Ru in Arabian means "scholar". A variation of Nayru, the Japanese name Nauru, means "to sound", "to echoe", or "to resound", perhaps referencing her music.