TL;DR: The Princess of Hyrule Walkthrough
- Leave Kokiri Forest through the western exit and receive the Fairy Ocarina from Saria.
- Cross Hyrule Field and head towards Hyrule Castle.
- Speak with Malon near the castle entrance to receive the Weird Egg.
- Wait for the egg to hatch into a Wake-Up Cucco.
- Climb around the castle’s front gate and avoid the guards.
- Find sleeping Talon near the moat and wake him using the Wake-Up Cucco.
- Move the two wooden crates to reach the drain and enter the castle grounds.
- Sneak past the remaining guards to reach Princess Zelda’s courtyard.
- Receive Zelda’s Letter and learn Zelda’s Lullaby from Impa.
After defeating Queen Gohma and receiving the Kokiri’s Emerald, Link must leave the forest and travel to Hyrule Castle. The Great Deku Tree’s final request points him towards the princess, who knows more about the danger threatening Hyrule.
However, reaching Princess Zelda is not as simple as walking through the castle’s front entrance. You must first meet Malon, obtain a Weird Egg, wake her father Talon, and sneak past several guards.
This Princess of Hyrule walkthrough in Ocarina of Time Remake explains how to reach Hyrule Castle, complete the stealth section, meet Zelda, and obtain two important rewards: Zelda’s Letter and Zelda’s Lullaby.
The Princess of Hyrule Walkthrough in Ocarina of Time Remake
Before starting this section, make sure you have completed the Great Deku Tree dungeon and collected the Kokiri’s Emerald.
If you still need help with the previous area, follow our Great Deku Tree Dungeon Walkthrough to defeat Queen Gohma and complete the first dungeon.
Step 1: Leave Kokiri Forest and Get the Fairy Ocarina
After the Great Deku Tree’s final conversation, return through Kokiri Forest and head towards its western exit.
As Link prepares to leave, Saria appears and gives him the Fairy Ocarina. She also says goodbye before Link begins his journey across Hyrule Field.
The Fairy Ocarina is an important story item. You will use it to play different melodies that unlock paths, activate special effects, and help Link progress through the adventure.
Once the conversation finishes, continue through the exit and enter Hyrule Field.
If you have not completed the opening area, check our Kokiri Forest Walkthrough in Ocarina of Time Remake for the Kokiri Sword, Deku Shield, and Mido’s gate.
Step 2: Travel Across Hyrule Field to Hyrule Castle
Your next destination is Hyrule Castle, located north of Hyrule Field.
Follow the main road towards the castle. You will eventually reach Hyrule Castle Town, which contains several shops, buildings, and optional activities.
Walk through the Market and follow the road towards the castle entrance.
Before entering the castle grounds, you may encounter Kaepora Gaebora, the owl who provides information about your journey.
There is no need to spend too much time exploring the Market right now. You can return later for shops, mini-games, and other useful rewards.
Step 3: Talk to Malon and Collect the Weird Egg
When you reach the road near Hyrule Castle, look for a young girl named Malon. She stands near a horse and a milk cart.
Talk to her to learn that her father, Talon, has gone inside the castle grounds but has not returned. She asks Link to help find him.
After speaking with Malon, she gives you a Weird Egg.
This item is important because it eventually hatches into a Wake-Up Cucco. You will need the bird to wake Talon, who is sleeping near the castle moat.
Important: Keep the Weird Egg in your inventory while exploring the castle grounds. It hatches after a short period as you move around, including during daylight.
Step 4: Sneak Around the Hyrule Castle Front Gate
The main castle entrance is guarded, and the guard will not allow Link to enter through the front gate.
Instead of trying to walk past him, you need to use the climbable walls and vines beside the entrance.
Follow these steps:
- Stand near Malon and look for the vines on the rocky wall beside her.
- Climb the vines to reach the higher ledge.
- Continue along the upper route towards the gatehouse.
- Climb the next section of vines and follow the stone wall around the tower.
- Reach the opening near the gatehouse and use the ladder to enter the other side.
- Leave the small tower room through the doorway to reach the castle gardens.
You are now inside the outer castle grounds, but several guards are patrolling the garden.
Tip: Take your time during this section. Watch the guards’ movement patterns and use the hedges for cover. Getting spotted sends Link back to the guarded entrance, so avoid rushing through open areas.
Step 5: Avoid the Garden Guards and Find the Castle Moat
Once you enter the garden, follow the path until you see two guards patrolling near the main route.
Do not run directly towards them. Move to the left and follow the grassy slope beside the hedge.
Continue through the gaps between the hedges and stay away from the guards’ line of sight.
At the far end of the garden, look for another climbable vine wall.
Climb it and follow the route around the back of the garden. You will eventually reach an area beside the castle moat.
Jump into the water and swim underneath the castle bridge. Continue around the corner until you reach the far end of the water channel.
You will find Talon sleeping beside two wooden crates near a small drain opening.
Step 6: Wake Talon Using the Wake-Up Cucco
By this point, your Weird Egg should have hatched into a Wake-Up Cucco.
Stand near Talon and equip the Wake-Up Cucco from your item selection. Use it while standing beside him.
The Cucco will crow, waking Talon from his sleep.
Talon will realize that he has been sleeping instead of completing his delivery. After the conversation, he leaves the area to find Malon.
With Talon gone, you can now use the two wooden crates to reach the small opening in the castle wall.
Step 7: Move the Wooden Crates and Enter the Drain
The small drain is too high for Link to reach directly. You need to move the wooden crates to create a way up.
Follow these instructions carefully:
- Approach the first wooden crate and use the grab action.
- Move it towards the recessed area beneath the drain opening.
- Push the first crate down into the lower section.
- Move the second crate towards the same location.
- Position the second crate on top of the first one to create a small staircase.
- Climb onto the stacked crates.
- Jump towards the drain’s ledge.
- Crawl through the opening in the castle wall.
This passage takes you inside the guarded section of Hyrule Castle.
Make sure both crates are positioned correctly before attempting the jump. The stacked crates provide the height needed to reach the opening.
Step 8: Sneak Past the Guards in the Inner Courtyard
After crawling through the drain, climb the ladder and follow the stairs into another courtyard.
You will find a raised walkway above a guard. Use the nearby blocks to climb onto the walkway instead of walking directly past the guard.
Continue along the upper route until you reach another garden area with two guards patrolling near low hedges.
Watch their movements and wait until both guards turn away from the route ahead.
Once you have a clear opening, sprint through the gap and head towards the doorway.
The next area is a storeroom with additional guards.
Stay close to the right wall and use the shelves, barrels, and other objects as cover. Wait for the middle guard to turn away and the guard near the far end to move around the corner.
When the path is clear, move through the final doorway and follow the corridor.
You will eventually reach Princess Zelda’s courtyard.
Step 9: Meet Princess Zelda in the Castle Courtyard
Once you reach the courtyard, you will finally meet Princess Zelda.
She is standing near a window and initially does not recognize Link. She asks who he is and how he managed to enter the castle grounds.
After noticing Navi and the Kokiri’s Emerald, Zelda realizes that Link matches a boy from a dream she had.
She explains that her dream involved a boy and a fairy coming from the forest and bringing light with them.
Zelda then tells Link about a growing threat to Hyrule involving Ganondorf, the Triforce, and the Sacred Realm.
During the conversation, she explains several important parts of Hyrule’s history:
- The Triforce: A sacred relic that grants the wish of whoever touches it.
- The Sacred Realm: The place where the Triforce is protected.
- The Door of Time: The entrance that leads to the Sacred Realm through the Temple of Time.
- The Spiritual Stones: Three important stones needed to open the Door of Time.
- Ganondorf: A dangerous visitor who wants to gain control of the kingdom and its power.
Zelda believes Ganondorf is hiding his real intentions and wants Link to help prevent him from obtaining the Triforce.
Listen to the full conversation because it explains the main story behind Link’s adventure. You can also choose the optional dialogue topics to learn more about the Triforce and the Door of Time.
Step 10: Watch Ganondorf Outside the Castle Window
After explaining the situation, Zelda asks Link to look through the nearby window.
Through the window, you will see Ganondorf approaching the castle. This scene provides an important look at the man Zelda suspects is plotting against Hyrule.
Pay attention to the cutscene because it introduces one of the central conflicts of the story.
Continue the conversation with Zelda to complete the meeting and receive your next objective.
Step 11: Receive Zelda’s Letter
After speaking with Zelda, you will receive Zelda’s Letter.
This is an important key item that proves the princess has given Link permission to travel beyond certain guarded areas.
You will need to show the letter to the guard at the northern entrance of Kakariko Village. He will recognize the royal seal and allow you to access Death Mountain Trail.
Keep Zelda’s Letter in your inventory. You do not need to use it immediately, but it becomes essential for continuing the main story.
Step 12: Learn Zelda’s Lullaby From Impa
Before leaving Hyrule Castle, speak with Impa, Zelda’s attendant and personal guard.
After the meeting with Zelda, Impa teaches Link an important ocarina melody called Zelda’s Lullaby.
This song is one of the most useful melodies in the adventure. It activates certain royal symbols and opens doors that are marked with the Triforce symbol.
To learn Zelda’s Lullaby using the default Switch 2 controls, play the following notes:
Y, X, A, Y, X, A
Complete the melody until the game confirms that you have learned the song.
You can use the traditional button inputs or the remake’s supported microphone input for playing ocarina melodies.
Impa then escorts Link away from the castle and directs him towards the next part of his journey.
What to Do After Meeting Princess Zelda?
Once you leave Hyrule Castle, you will be back in Hyrule Field with two important rewards: Zelda’s Letter and Zelda’s Lullaby.
Your next major destination is Death Mountain, but there is one important task you should complete before heading there.
1. Visit the Lost Woods and Learn Saria’s Song
Return towards Kokiri Forest and enter the Lost Woods.
Follow the correct path through the forest until you reach the Sacred Forest Meadow, where Saria is waiting.
Speak with her to learn Saria’s Song.
This melody becomes important when you meet Darunia in Goron City. Playing it will help you gain the Goron’s trust and obtain an essential item for the next dungeon.
2. Visit Kakariko Village and Show Zelda’s Letter
After learning Saria’s Song, travel east across Hyrule Field and enter Kakariko Village.
Head towards the northern gate, where a guard is blocking the path to Death Mountain Trail.
Speak with him and show Zelda’s Letter. He will recognize the royal seal and open the gate.
You can also explore the village and graveyard for optional activities, including the Sun’s Song and the free Hylian Shield.
3. Continue to Death Mountain and Goron City
Once the guard opens the northern gate, follow Death Mountain Trail towards Goron City.
Use Zelda’s Lullaby when you encounter the Triforce-marked door in Goron City.
After entering, find Darunia and play Saria’s Song for him. This helps you obtain the Goron’s Bracelet, which allows Link to lift Bomb Flowers.
Your next major objective will be opening the entrance to Dodongo’s Cavern.
Important Items and Rewards in The Princess of Hyrule Quest
This section introduces several important items that will remain useful throughout the adventure.
- Fairy Ocarina: Received from Saria when leaving Kokiri Forest. Used to play learned melodies.
- Weird Egg: Given by Malon near Hyrule Castle. Hatches into a Wake-Up Cucco.
- Wake-Up Cucco: Used to wake Talon from his sleep near the castle moat.
- Zelda’s Letter: Given by Princess Zelda. Required to open the northern gate in Kakariko Village.
- Zelda’s Lullaby: Taught by Impa. Activates certain royal symbols and special doors.
Remember that the Fairy Ocarina and Zelda’s Lullaby are both story progression items. Do not overlook the melody when you move on to the next area.
Tips for Reaching Princess Zelda in Ocarina of Time Remake
The Hyrule Castle section is mostly about timing and observation. You do not need to defeat the guards. You simply need to find a safe route around them.
- Keep the Weird Egg equipped: It hatches as you explore, so you do not need to stand around waiting for it.
- Watch guard movement: Wait until guards turn away before crossing open areas.
- Use hedges as cover: Avoid walking along the main paved routes when guards are nearby.
- Wake Talon before moving the crates: He must leave the area before you can use the crates effectively.
- Stack the crates: Position them beneath the drain to reach the opening.
- Stay close to the storeroom’s right wall: This makes it easier to move past the patrolling guards.
- Learn Zelda’s Lullaby immediately: You will need it for progression in Goron City.
- Use the Threads of Time feature: Check your current objective if you forget whether to visit the Lost Woods or Kakariko Village next.
For more information about the updated movement, camera, combat, and ocarina controls, read our Ocarina of Time Remake Beginner Tips and Tricks guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Princess Zelda in Ocarina of Time Remake?
Princess Zelda is inside Hyrule Castle, in a courtyard near a window overlooking the castle grounds. You must sneak past the guards, wake Talon, and enter through a drain in the castle wall to reach her.
How do you get the Weird Egg in Ocarina of Time Remake?
Talk to Malon near the Hyrule Castle entrance. After agreeing to help find her father, she gives Link the Weird Egg. It eventually hatches into a Wake-Up Cucco.
How do you wake Talon in Ocarina of Time Remake?
Find Talon sleeping near the castle moat after sneaking around the front gate. Once the Weird Egg has hatched, equip the Wake-Up Cucco and use it beside him. The bird will wake him up.
How do you sneak into Hyrule Castle?
Climb the vines beside the main entrance and follow the upper route around the gatehouse. Use the garden hedges for cover, swim through the moat, and enter the castle through the small drain after waking Talon and moving the crates.
How do you get Zelda’s Letter?
Speak with Princess Zelda in the Hyrule Castle courtyard. After completing her conversation, she gives Link Zelda’s Letter, which is needed to pass the northern gate in Kakariko Village.
How do you learn Zelda’s Lullaby?
After meeting Princess Zelda, speak with Impa. She teaches Link Zelda’s Lullaby. Using the default Switch 2 controls, play Y, X, A, Y, X, A to complete the melody.
What do you do after meeting Princess Zelda?
Return to the Lost Woods to learn Saria’s Song, then visit Kakariko Village and show Zelda’s Letter to the guard at the northern gate. This opens the route to Death Mountain and Goron City.
Can you skip the Hyrule Castle guards?
No. Getting past the guards is part of the main story progression. You must use the hedges, climbing routes, moat, and castle drain to reach Zelda’s courtyard without being caught.
Conclusion
Meeting Princess Zelda is an important step in Link’s adventure because it reveals the danger surrounding Hyrule and introduces the mystery of the Triforce.
To complete this section, collect the Weird Egg from Malon, wake Talon with the Wake-Up Cucco, sneak through Hyrule Castle, and speak with Zelda. Do not forget to receive Zelda’s Letter and learn Zelda’s Lullaby from Impa before leaving.
