In Ocarina of Time, the first character Link meets after leaving the boundaries of Kokiri Forest is a large, enigmatic owl named Kaepora Gaebora. This feathered fellow can be a bit of a handful for first-time players, as his monologues famously occupy many text boxes. If you’re impatiently mashing to get to the end, he can trick you into allowing him to repeat his entire spiel. He seems to have a good laugh about it, too. But outside of this instance of mischievous behavior, Kaepora Gaebora proves to be a great source of aid to Link throughout his journey. From offering hints, directions, and brief flying trips, to commending Link on his progress and maturation over the course of the game, Ocarina of Time would be much more difficult without his assistance.
But whether the player knows it or not, Kaepora Gaebora has much more agency in Link’s quest than he lets on. A Gossip Stone tucked away in the Sacred Forest Meadow gives us a hint: “The owl named Kaepora Gaebora is the reincarnation of an ancient Sage.” Hyrule Historia and other sources go on to confirm that the ancient being in question is none other than the first awakened Sage. Rauru, the Sage of Light, resides in the center of the Sacred Realm, waiting for the Hero of Time to manifest. In the two bodies he inhabits, wise owl and old man, the holy Sage guides Link’s adventure from both the mortal plane of Hyrule and the elevated Chamber of Sages, ultimately giving Link the best chances of catching up to Ganondorf and restoring order to the world.
Link’s first encounter with the owl’s true identity (though he doesn’t yet know the connection between Rauru and Kaepora) comes after his seven-year sleep, awakening in the Sacred Realm to the terrible news of Ganondorf’s usurpation. Despite his own power dwindling over the course of the Gerudo’s reign, Rauru is a calm voice in Link’s bleary tumult, informing Link of what has happened and what now needs to be done. As a child, Link sought out the Spiritual Stones of Forest, Fire, and Water to open the Door of Time. Link’s new Adult Timeline quest will consist of awakening the elemental Sages across the kingdom and collecting their emblematic Medallions and, to start him off, Rauru gives up his own Light Medallion. He dubs Link the Hero of Time, wielder of the Master Sword and fated foil to the King of Evil. With this curse of responsibility, Link returns to Hyrule to seek out the other five Sages. Meanwhile, Rauru does not leave him to chase his destiny alone.
Rauru’s stable presence in both human and avian form must be a great reassurance to this frazzled Link. For a young boy dealing with more sudden responsibility than almost anyone in the Zelda timeline has had to bear, a guiding adult figure becomes invaluable. Especially now, with the traumatic loss of Link’s adopted father and guardian, the Great Deku Tree. Rauru watches over Link throughout his entire quest, and you can sense that a real bond between hero and owl forms by the end, with Kaepora Gaebora speaking his last words to Link with stolid pride.
Link’s final showdown with Ganondorf begins with the awakened Sages raining down their power to forge a path into the Demon King’s corrupted fortress. Rauru’s emboldening voice echoes around Link, and with it the echo of Link’s responsibility rings out more clearly than ever. As the Blade of Evil’s Bane is plunged into Ganon’s skull, Zelda heralds the Six Sages to descend on him, and it is Rauru who leads his fellows in opening the Sacred Realm to consume and seal Ganon, lifting Link’s burden at last.
I might wonder at how Link’s feelings toward Rauru and his feathered alter-ego must differ by the end of the adventure. Kaepora Gaebora represents a constant guiding hand (er, wing), bringing lightheartedness and helpful tips to the hero with some regularity. In contrast, Rauru’s direct exchanges with Link are less frequent and often very grave. Not to mention, it is Rauru who seals Link away for seven years, since becoming the Hero of Time will cost Link his childhood. Even after Zelda sends Link back to live out his days as the Kokiri boy he once was, Navi leaving means that he can no longer reclaim that childhood so now he wanders Hyrule as a stranger with a cursed past. There is no doubt that the old Stalfos warrior in Twilight Princess, confirmed to be Ocarina of Time’s Link, probably resents the Sage of Light (among other culpable parties) for thrusting this destiny upon him. But Rauru assuming the form of Kaepora Gaebora anonymously is the proof that he really does care about Link. Even if Rauru sustains the guilt of pushing young Link to take up a destined role that would be unfair to expect of anyone, the guidance he offered as the wise owl will hopefully remain in Link just as strongly.
