A group of warriors is only as strong as its leader, and this was certainly the case for the Gerudo and their leader Nabooru in Ocarina of Time. Beneath Nabooru’s beautiful exterior beats a heart brimming with courage, strength, and wit. Her commitment to her people was unwavering, and her resilience even in the face of darkness even more unbreakable.
But unfortunately, her undying loyalty to her people came with great risk – as depicted in this stunning artwork titled “Seize the Dark” by artist Vtas. It’s a striking callback to when Nabooru attempted to thwart Ganondorf’s plans, but was captured by Koume and Kotake, trapped in the armor of an Iron Knuckle, and brainwashed to serve the very enemy she set out to defeat. But it also draws attention to how she courageously carried that weight on her shoulders, and proved her true value as the Gerudo leader.
Nabooru’s efforts ultimately aided Link in his quest to defeat Ganondorf, but it took seven years for the payoff. And she paid a hefty price for it. However, her capture was an unforgettable and thematically significant moment. It was such a monumental story beat, in fact, that it featured in the game’s title screen cutscene. I remember the aftertaste of her whole arc – from meeting Nabooru as a child through to freeing and aiding her in becoming a sage. The weight and importance stays with me every time I replay the game. I see a leader who, although may have sadly lost the fight, had fearlessly opposed her adversary and won the war.
That same flavor is palpable in this artwork. Upon seeing it, I immediately recalled the moment when that first piece of armor fell away from Nabooru’s body. The suffering she undoubtedly went through for years instantly rang loud and clear, like the armor clanging to the ground. She had to bear an intensely heavy burden on her shoulders – on her entire body and mind, in fact. I love that vtas explicitly calls attention to this. The huge Iron Knuckle literally grips Nabooru’s shoulders and towers over her, dwarfing her own once-powerful figure.
But, like the true leader she is, Nabooru’s demeanor is composed. Her subdued yet determined eyes and folded hands show resignation, but not defeat. Ganondorf and his surrogate mothers may have captured her body and mind, but they never broke her spirit. That’s her very essence as a sage, after all. Nothing can deter her from opposing the Gerudo King’s dark aims. She knows he is not the true ruler of the Gerudo. He will never have their greatest interests at heart.
Nabooru, on the other hand, would risk her entire being for them. That’s why she is their true leader.
