After the long, long journey from the desert to the lush region of Faron, Maru’s feet ached as she finally made it to the top of the mountain. She had finally found what she was searching for: the legendary Lover’s Pond. _This is the place where mother and father met._ She thought to herself. _He gave her a blue nightshade flower to win her heart._ As she looked around and saw no one, she did not feel discouraged. _Someone will come, someone who is dedicated and ready to commit to marriage. _

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Maru was a young Gerudo woman. Since the Gerudo were a tribe made of women and only gave birth to girls, once they reached maturity, they were sent out into the world on a quest to find a husband. Having grown up in the isolated Gerudo town, Maru had never seen a man until she left the desert. She had seen them from afar at the stables scattered across Hyrule, but she still had very little experience with men. It wasn’t that men didn’t want to come to Gerudo town; they simply were banned from entering.

Maru took off her backpack and used it as a pillow to rest her head. She fell asleep to the twinkling stars high above and the noises of the night.

After a few weeks, Maru awoke one morning to see a man sitting on the opposite side of the pond from her. He had dark skin and dark eyes that twinkled as he met her gaze. She felt her face heat up, and she felt her heartbeat quicken. _A man… is that the man fated to be my husband? _Gathering her courage, Maru stood and began walking around the heart-shaped pool to where the man now stood, waiting.

Shyly, Maru looked up at him. “H-hello.”

He smiled gently. “Hello, to you too. My name is Larkson from Tarry Town.”

“I-I’m Maru,” she stammered. “I’m from G-gerudo town. I-I have come here to find a husband.”

“Ah, well that is fortunate, indeed!” Larkson grinned. “For I have come here in hopes of finding a wife. I always heard the legend of Lover’s Pond, and I’m very glad I believed it, for it has led me to you! Before making such a commitment, I think we should take some time to get to know each other first.” Pointing toward the path that led back down the mountain, Larkson continued, “Lurelin Village is not far from here. Might I treat you to breakfast?”

Maru smiled, “Yes, that sounds wonderful.”