The Gerudo, known for their militaristic culture that extols strength and fortitude, are responsible for a long line of proud female warriors that stretches across Hyrule’s history. But for one such warrior, destiny had something in mind that would require so much more than combat prowess or leadership skills.
In Ocarina of Time, we meet a Gerudo woman named Nabooru who eventually awakens as one of the Seven Sages, the Sage of Spirit. As Ganondorf’s second-in-command, she isn’t someone we would have expected to awaken as a Sage. But in the end, she demonstrates that she is more than worthy of the title, as her courage, wisdom, unbreakable spirit, and deep love for her people show us what it truly means to be a Sage.
By the time Link begins traversing the land of Hyrule and battling wicked monsters who seek to destroy all peace and harmony, seeds of rebellion against the evil Gerudo King have already been sown. Nabooru is one of the few to recognize early on that Ganondorf is a monster at heart, and thus unfit to be a leader for her people. And not only does she realize the truth, but she is also determined to do something about it. Cultural tradition may dictate that Ganondorf is the true king, but Nabooru is never going to accept him as her ruler.
Link first crosses paths with Nabooru as a child, after Sheik teaches him the Requiem of Spirit and suggests that he revisit the Spirit Temple seven years in the past. Link meets the Gerudo warrior as she’s searching for the Silver Gauntlets, a mystical pair of gauntlets that enhance the bearer’s strength. At this point in time, Nabooru hopes to use them to ruin Ganondorf’s plans by infiltrating the temple and stealing from him and his minions. Her dialogue indicates that she does indeed think like a thief, but at the very least, she intends to harness her thieving abilities for good. And her plan may have worked, if not for a pair of witches who were waiting for the right opportunity to capture the rebel. For now, there is nothing Link can do to save her.
For seven years, Nabooru clings to existence in darkness, her mind and body manipulated by Koume and Kotake to help Ganondorf maintain control of Hyrule and put the Gerudo in their place. Her soul is shackled not only by spells, but by great heavy armor as well. Forced to obey the voices shouting orders, she awaits the return of the green-clothed fairy boy, the enemy that she must destroy.
When Link reunites with Nabooru as an adult, he doesn’t realize it at first. The armor completely disguises Nabooru’s body, and Navi even refers to her simply as an Iron Knuckle, albeit a “strange” one. It isn’t until the armor is removed via a mini-boss battle that Nabooru is released — only for the witches to appear and brainwash her once more.
Nabooru isn’t granted her freedom until Link defeats Twinrova. The vanquishing of the twin witches allows the Gerudo warrior to finally hear the call of the Sages and awaken as one of them. For the role she plays in helping Link vanquish Ganondorf and cleanse the land of his evil, she is regarded as a great figure of legend for centuries to come. In The Wind Waker, her image is immortalized in a stained glass window in the submerged Hyrule Castle, and in Breath of the Wild, it is said that the Divine Beast Vah Naboris was named in her honor.
Growing up, Nabooru probably only ever saw herself as a common thief, searching for the best treasures scattered around Hyrule. As an adult, her reputation as a dangerous and loyal follower of Ganondorf struck fear into the hearts of people all across the land. But now she has proven herself a hero in her own right, and her sacrifices and strength will never be forgotten.
