You’re riding through the rain in Hyrule, your armor is basically made of paper, and you see it. That giant, pulsating flower bud. It’s glowing. It’s intimidating. And if you’ve played The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you know exactly what’s inside: a Great Fairy who refuses to come out because she’s stressed about the state of the world. Honestly? Relatable. But if you want to survive a fight with a Gleeok or even a stray Lynel, you need those armor upgrades. To get them, you have to figure out the right a gift for the Great Fairy to coax her out of her shell.
It isn't just about handing over a bundle of Blue Nightshades like you did in Breath of the Wild. No, Nintendo decided to make us work for it this time. You’re basically acting as a high-stakes talent scout and a logistics manager all at once.
Why the Great Fairies Went Into Hiding
In the aftermath of the Upheaval, the four sisters—Tera, Mija, Cotera, and Kaysa—bolted into their buds. They’re scared. Gloom is everywhere, the sky is falling, and the world feels like it’s ending. They don’t want gems. They don’t want Rupees. What they want is music. Specifically, they want to hear the sounds of the Stable Trotters, a musical troupe that has been disbanded and scattered across the map like autumn leaves in a gale.
The real a gift for the Great Fairy is the restoration of art and culture. It’s a bit poetic, if you think about it. You aren’t just bribing them; you’re showing them that the world is still beautiful enough to sing about.
Starting the Quest at Lucky Clover Gazette
You can’t just roll up to a fairy fountain and expect results. You have to start the "Potential Princess Sightings!" quest line at the Lucky Clover Gazette, which is located just outside Rito Village. Talk to Traysi. She’s the editor-in-chief and, frankly, a bit of a slave driver, but she sets you on the path. This links you up with Penn, the giant Rito journalist who is surprisingly agile for his size.
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Once you’ve got that settled, head to Woodland Stable. This is where the magic—and the frustration—begins.
The First Gift: Tera and the Violin
The first fairy you’ll likely encounter is Tera, located near the Woodland Stable in the Eldin region. The musicians here, Violynne and Haite, are trying to play for her, but their wagon, Breezer, is broken.
- Use Ultrahand to fix the wheels. It’s simple, but make sure they’re straight, or you’ll be wobbling all over the path.
- Find a horse. You need a towing harness, which you get by earning Pony Points at stables.
- Attach the harness to the wagon, talk to the musicians, and drive them up the hill.
When the violin starts playing, Tera emerges. It’s a relief. But that’s just the beginning. Each subsequent sister requires a different instrument to be added to the band. You are building an orchestra.
Finding the Flute for Mija
Mija is up in the snowy peaks of the Hebra region, near Snowfield Stable. She wants to hear the flute. The problem? The flutist, Pyper, is missing. He’s stuck in a tree at Highland Stable in the far south.
This part of the a gift for the Great Fairy quest involves a bit of a side-trek. Pyper wants to make a "glowing tree" for a friend. You need to collect 10 Sunset Fireflies. They only come out at night. If you’re impatient like me, you’ll end up crouching through the woods near Pagos River, swearing at the screen because you accidentally sprinted and scared them all away.
Once you give him the fireflies, he returns to the troupe. Take the band to Mija’s bud. You’ll need to put a roof on the wagon this time because it’s snowing. Wood planks are everywhere; just slap one on top with Ultrahand and you’re golden.
The Horn and the Drum: Cotera and Kaysa
Cotera hangs out near Dueling Peaks Stable. She wants the horn. Eustus, the horn player, managed to drive his wagon into a literal pit in the ground in the Tabahl Woods. You have to use a balloon, a flame emitter, and a fan to lift him out. It’s a physics puzzle that tests your patience more than your intelligence.
Finally, there’s Kaysa near Outskirt Stable. She wants the drum. Beetz, the drummer, is located near the road to Kakariko Village. He doesn’t want fireflies; he wants honey. Three jars of Courser Bee Honey, to be exact. Pro tip: look for the hives hanging from trees near the chasm in the Kakariko area, but be ready to run or use a fire fruit to keep the bees at bay.
The Cost of Power
Once you’ve delivered every a gift for the Great Fairy, the sisters are back in business. But don't think they’re doing this for free. They might be grateful, but they still have bills to pay, apparently.
- Level 1 Upgrade: 10 Rupees + Materials
- Level 2 Upgrade: 50 Rupees + Materials
- Level 3 Upgrade: 200 Rupees + Materials
- Level 4 Upgrade: 500 Rupees + Materials
The "materials" are the real killer. You’ll find yourself hunting Lizalfos tails for hours. You’ll be farming Hinox guts. You’ll be wondering why on earth a tunic needs five diamonds to be slightly more "sturdy."
Common Misconceptions About the Fountains
People often think you can unlock them in any order. While technically possible, the game heavily nudges you toward Tera first. If you try to go for Kaysa before you’ve fixed the wagon at Woodland Stable, the musicians won't even be there. It’s a linear progression disguised as an open world.
Another thing: the Great Fairies don't just increase defense. If you upgrade an entire set (like the Flamebreaker or the Snowquill) to Level 2, you get a "Set Bonus." This can make you unfreezeable, fireproof, or give you a massive boost to your attack power. It's the difference between struggling and feeling like a god.
Actionable Steps for Hyrule Survival
If you're staring at a closed bud right now, here is exactly what you need to do.
First, go to the Lucky Clover Gazette and talk to Traysi. Don't skip this. The game won't trigger the musicians' movement if you don't have the "Potential Princess Sightings" quest active.
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Second, hoard your Pony Points. Sleep in soft beds, register horses, and visit new stables. You need that towing harness. Without it, you aren't moving any wagons, and the musicians aren't walking.
Third, start collecting. Even if you don't need them yet, grab every Sunset Firefly, Courser Bee Honey, and Hearty Truffle you see. You will need them. The Great Fairies are demanding, and Hyrule is a big place to have to backtrack through just because you're one honey jar short.
Finally, focus on one armor set at a time. Spreading your resources across five different tunics is a recipe for being mediocre at everything. Pick the Hylian Set for general defense or the Stealth Set for easier material gathering. Max them out. You'll thank yourself when you're standing in front of a King Gleeok and actually living to tell the tale.