There are many characters in Ocarina of Time that shaped Link into the hero he was always destined to become. They each have their own special significance that, when combined, is enough to destroy a powerful and infectious evil. Throughout Link’s adventures, he comes across many different individuals, whose distinctive traits and sub-conscious teachings stay with him long after he has moved onto the next obstacle in his quest.
Death Mountain’s first impression is that of an unwelcoming place, but, in the heart of such a hard terrain, the unlikeliest of species dwell. Yes, the Gorons have an unhealthy appetite for rock-o-gratin (at least it’s organic) and their first mode of transport is rolling around without a care for any cliff-side-edges. The influence of their leader, Darunia, plays a substantial part in our hero’s growth — and I am not talking about his legendary dance moves!
Although not much is known about Darunia’s history, it is believed that he was named after a town in The Adventure of Link and is a descendant of the legendary, Megaton-Hammer-wielding “Hero of the Gorons”. During the civil war, Darunia fought alongside the King of Hyrule, who unified the tribes of the land and gained Darunia’s respect, thus making him a Sworn Brother. This is a vital theme that Darunia embodies: Brotherhood.
Brotherhood is, without a doubt, a very important part of a male’s life and just one of the important lessons learned throughout Ocarina of Time. Brotherhood is not something that is given freely, but something that is earned. Without it, one might find themselves lacking direction and motivation in their life. It is a lesson where you learn that respect and sacrifice presents an unlikely bond.
After enduring the climb of Death Mountain and getting acquainted with the starving Goron civilization, Link finds the strong yet stubborn leader Darunia locked in his chamber, only opening the sealed door when hearing the soft notes of “Zelda’s Lullaby.” Darunia is infuriated at the sight of Link after expecting a messenger of the Royal Family of Hyrule and instead receiving a child in a green hat. Despite this, Link learns that Ganondorf visited the Gorons shortly before his arrival, demanding the Spiritual Stone of Fire, the Goron’s Ruby, and threatening to seal the Goron’s food source, Dodongo’s Cavern, if they refused.
Darunia, knowing the circumstances of handing over the Spiritual Stone of Fire, refused to give up the precious ruby, thus sealing the Goron’s fate along with the entrance to Dodongo’s Cavern, resulting in imminent starvation. Unfortunately for Darunia, the delicious sight of the Goron’s Ruby was too much for the famished Gorons. So, for the gem’s protection, he locked himself away and waited for the messenger of the Royal Family that his sworn brother, the king, would surely send.
In the face of a terrible ultimatum that would have resulted in the elimination of his race, Darunia made an incredibly hard decision not to give into Ganondorf’s orders for the Spiritual Stone of Fire. Despite being a proud and loyal leader to his people, Darunia was forced into putting his brothers’ lives in danger, knowing that this sacrifice would ultimately save Hyrule from perishing.
There is much more than meets the eye to this stern-looking famed Goron Leader. Despite Darunia’s hard exterior, he does have one, not-so-secret, guilty pleasure. It takes the form of getting down to some seriously hot beats and, let’s face it, the Goron leader can certainly bust out some impressive dance moves when the right tune comes his way. Link plays Darunia the upbeat but sweet “Saria’s Song,” resulting in the diminishing of his depression and mulishness. Although still unwilling to give up the Goron’s Ruby, Darunia challenged Link to prove himself by destroying the monsters dwelling in Dodongo’s Cavern and saving the Goron race from extinction.
Upon passing this test and leaving the newly-cleansed cavern, Darunia nearly crushes Link by casually dropping from the sky and, in a very manly-chest-beating exchange, congratulates and thanks our hero for everything he has done, making him a Sworn Brother and granting him the ruby that was entrusted to the Gorons: the Spiritual Stone of Fire.
Darunia is one of the only strong, masculine influences found in the Ocarina of Time and plays a vital role in our hero’s development. He is the only brotherly figure that Link has ever known throughout his life, who teaches the importance of brotherhood and new, lifelong friendships. Before leaving the Kokiri Forest, Link had never experienced a friendship quite like this before. Yes, he had the Great Deku Tree who took a more teacher and father-like-figure role and a strong childhood bond with Saria, but he was never truly close to another male.
Darunia never forgot about the boy, his sworn brother and friend, who saved his people from the dark fate that would have been. Sentimentally proud and full of respect, he even named his son after the “legendary Dodongo buster”, who he retold the story to countless times with as much detail as possible.
When returning to Goron City after his seven-year absence, Link meets Darunia’s son who tells him that the dragon, Volvagia, had been freed by Ganondorf, imprisoning all the Gorons in the Fire Temple with the intention of making them into lunch. Upon learning that Darunia had left for the Fire Temple to risk his life and save his people from being eaten, Link quickly followed to help.
After reuniting with his old friend, Darunia was happy to see Link again, but, knowing that time was of the essence for his people, he ceased the long-awaited meeting and instead asked Link to help free the locked away Gorons whilst he dealt with the ancient dragon, Volvagia. Leaving through the dungeon door, Darunia would not see his friend again until after the events at the Fire Temple.
When Darunia awakens as the Sage of Fire and presents Link with the Fire Medallion, Darunia reminds him that they are, and always will be, true brothers, stating that Link turned out to be “a real man’,” just like he knew he would.
