Nayru (Oracle)

Template:Character Nayru is a recurring character in The Legend of Zelda series.

Biography

Oracle of Ages

Nayru first appears in the game, Oracle of Ages, 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.

File:Nayru OOX.png

File:Nayru-Possessed.png

Possessed Nayru

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

File:Nayru Possessed.png

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

File:NayruSprite.gif

Nayru also appears in The Minish Cap, 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.

Other Appearances

Non-Canon Information

Oracle of Ages (Himekawa)

In the Oracle of Ages manga by Akira Himekawa, 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 and introduces herself as the Oracle of Ages. Nayru then peers into his future, stating that his story will be told for generations. Link doesn't believe what she says about him. Nayru insists her prophecy is true. Possessed Impa then asks if Nayru can see her fate, the oracle answering that she can, which is why she concealed herself. Although, the oracle accepts that she cannot outwit the Goddess of Time. With that, Veran reveals her possession of Impa. In vain, the forest animals attack the Sheikah, but Veran switches from Impa's body to Nayru's. 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 battles to overcome Veran and rescue not only Labrynna, but Nayru as well.

When Sir Raven is captured and sentenced to execution, Link, Ralph, and many others come to his rescue. Link tells Queen Ambi that the Cap'n stills loves her, revealing that the reason why Ambi had agreed to the tower's construction was because she wanted him to see it and remember her. Ambi then proceeds to cancel the tower's construction, upsetting Veran. The latter releases Nayru from her influence, and instead possesses Ambi, commanding her guards to capture Link, Ralph, and Sir Raven. Before any harm can be done, Nayru awakens and teleports the group in Labrynna's present.

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 her companions find the hidden villagers in a cave. Nayru herself reveals that Roperi's plant is actually a young Mystery Tree. Nayru begins to play her harp to speed the sprout's growth, yet Ralph leaves the cave, set on killing Veran himself. Alarmed, Nayru tells Link that Ralph is Queen Ambi's descendant and that if she dies he will too. 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 the 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 present 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 have done. Nayru says Link was the true hero and he is very brave.

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.

Nomenclature

Names in Other Regions
Language		Name	Meaning
	Japanese	ネール (Nēru)	Nayru
	FrenchEU	Nayru (Oracle)	Same as English.
	German	Nayru, Orakel der Zeiten	Nayru, Oracle of Ages
	Italian	Nayru, Oracolo del Tempo	Nayru, Oracle of Time
	SpanishLA	Nayru, Oráculo de los Tiempos (OoA)

Gallery

• File:Oracle of Ages Artwork 2.jpg

  Link meeting Nayru

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  Link watching Nayru sing

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  Link, Ralph, Impa and Nayru standing in front of a statue of Link

• File:OOA Credits 3.png

  Nayru playing the Harp of Ages as Maple and some animals listen

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  Link, Nayru, and Ralph waving goodbye to Queen Ambi

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  Link, Din, Nayru, Princess Zelda, Impa, and the Maku Tree rejoicing at the end of a linked Oracle of Ages

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  Link, Din, Nayru, Princess Zelda, Impa, and the Maku Tree rejoicing at the end of a linked Oracle of Seasons

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  Ralph and Nayru run down a street with some kids and a bag of groceries during the linked ending

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  Nayru's home in Oracle of Ages