The resurrection of Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom shifted all four corners of the world into deadly Gloom infested lands known in history as the Upheaval. Many citizens were displaced, forced to move from the homes they loved and cared for in search of safer lands. Compared to the missing Princess and the pain of the hero, their stories seem small, but theirs are the ones that very Princess would seek out and listen to. For every story has its place.
One such story can be found at New Serenne Stable. The stable, as the name would suggest, is a new location for the old Serenne Stable seen in Breath of the Wild. It’s located across the Carok Bridge, south of where the old stable used to stand. Sweeping her days and nights away is the female Hylian, Ariane. No matter what time of the day, Link will always find her outside sweeping around the stable.
Ariane greets with a smile. “Good morning. This is Rito Stable.” she says, only to immediately correct herself and apologise. Choosing to inquire about the Rito Stable name, Ariane reveals that she used to work at the Rito Stable (now the Lucky Clover Gazette). With the wicked and unbearable cold snap consuming Hebra, Ariane was forced to seek warmer pastures. The Hylian is lucky to be alive, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t miss her old home.
In Breath of the Wild, Ariane was a one-stop shop for information on the Hebra region and the Rito Village. Whether a passion or a side effect from living in a stable where she gets to hear stories and tales from all passing adventurers, is unclear. Either way, every time she mentions the Rito Village or the Rito Stable, she sighs with a longing sorrow. Furthermore, the first time that Link talks to Ariane, she gives him a free Spicy Elixir claiming that she will no longer need it anymore. Even with the lack of voice acting, you can hear how much she misses her home, to use her knowledge to good use. Now all she does is sweep. Day and night, night and day, that’s all Ariane does. She doesn’t even stop at night to sit down and listen to stories. Perhaps sweeping distracts from her thoughts, keeps her busy, and makes her feel useful. After all, what use is her cold Hebra knowledge in the Hyrule fields?
Ariane’s story is not one of great importance to the main questline of Tears of the Kingdom. Nor does her story involve any of the side quests throughout the region. She is a simple NPC with a few words to say should the hero have time to listen. A displaced girl surviving just like the rest in this time of uncertainty. But, just like Princess Zelda, Impa, Purah, or any other main NPC, Ariane is a girl worth fighting for. Her story is a story of the kingdom, and what is a princess without her kingdom?
