The Romance Thread III - Love Makes the World Go 'Round

Why wouldn't there be an attraction between Link and Zelda in TP? Zelda is simply gorgeous. I can't imagine Link not taking note of her beauty in some way. As for Link, he's rather cute himself. Just look at what some of the townsfolk say. "You look cool!" "You look really cool!"

I just can't imagine either of them not getting at least a little attracted to each other.

Originally Posted by Sun Guardian

Why wouldn't there be an attraction between Link and Zelda in TP? Zelda is simply gorgeous. I can't imagine Link not taking note of her beauty in some way. As for Link, he's rather cute himself. Just look at what some of the townsfolk say. "You look cool!" "You look really cool!"

I just can't imagine either of them not getting at least a little attracted to each other.

Colin thinks Link is cool and idolises him.
That does not mean there is a romantic attraction between Colin and Link.

I think the fact you think there should be a romance between Link and Zelda simply becuase "Zelda is simply gorgeous" is a very shallow and superficial arguement.

Regardless of that, you are presenting your opinion as fact.
Well, I guess we all are, but you are inciting evidence that is not there; you either make up and create evidence, or simply state an opinion and do not justify it.
TP is full of meaningful moments between Midna and Link that can even be proved from videoclips in youtube!

My argument in my last post is based purely on factual information from the game.

You are simply telling people what you would like to happen.
As such, your posts are invalid, as they are subjective, and not based on any in-game evidence at all.

Originally Posted by Sun Guardian

Why wouldn't there be an attraction between Link and Zelda in TP? Zelda is simply gorgeous. I can't imagine Link not taking note of her beauty in some way. As for Link, he's rather cute himself. Just look at what some of the townsfolk say. "You look cool!" "You look really cool!"

I just can't imagine either of them not getting at least a little attracted to each other.

Of course he'd be attracted to her. She's flippin' stunning. But relationships aren't based entirely on physical attraction. And even so, Illia and Midna and, again, Ashei aren't bad looking at all, either. Zelda is also the Princess of Hyrule--Chosen hero or not, that's not easily approachable.

And some people are saying how he'd never settle down with Illia because he'd become all adventureous and whatnot. I think that's just silly, but even if it had truth behind it, how would being holed up in a castle in a big city be any other way?

...Y'know, I've been an Illia supporter for TP up until this point. While I'm still leaning towards her, the end of the game really does seem to have evidence that he went off looking for Midna similar to how he did Navi in MM...

Zelda.
I'm kinda cliché. I love it when the hero and the princess get together. Although he and Midna did have a connection that was painfully obvious, I still think Zelda is the one for Link.

Originally Posted by Silver..Nitrate

Zelda.
I'm kinda cliché. I love it when the hero and the princess get together. Although he and Midna did have a connection that was painfully obvious, I still think Zelda is the one for Link.

So despite admitting the romance between Midna and Link was "painfully obvious" you still believe in a Zelda/Link romance in TP?
Did you read my other posts at all?

Ocarina of Time: Malon
They have playful chemistry, she actually grows up (contrary to Saria), and Link isn't absolutely terrified of her (a la Ruto). Besides, it makes rather lovely sense with respect to Link's condition in TP, and several in-game clues point to an eventual Link+Malon romance.

Twilight Princess: Ilia
Well, Midna's obviously out of the picture, and Zelda's out of Link's league (not to mention her relationship with Link is entirely formal), so Ilia is really the only viable option out of the main characters.

The Wind Waker: Tetra/Zelda
Combine the reasons for Malon and Ilia.

I'd say Malon. I don't know why, but I've always thought Link should be with Malon (at least in OOT)

so Ilia is really the only viable option out of the main characters.

It appears to me that Link's friendship with Ilia is so deep that it bypasses romantic affection.
I do believe they love each other very much, but a love that is forged between friends that have always lived together, and is on par with a familial love.

If there were truely any romantic affiliation between them, I'm sure that after regaining her memory, Ilia and Link (or simply one of them) would have initiated some kind of affection, but they simply are pleased to see each other again, and as such, I deem the love as being more on par as being like "sibling love" rather than romantic love.

That said, Ilia does perhaps allude to having a secret crush on Link, it's her shy, quiet, yet meaningfull expression when talking to him - though, this comes from Ilia only.

I still maintain that Link only truly emotes and shares romantic feeling to Midna, who is presented to reciprocate.

Originally Posted by SuperDecimal

It appears to me that Link's friendship with Ilia is so deep that it bypasses romantic affection.

I would argue that romantic affection is a by-product of such friendship.

Like Zelda, Midna is bound by her duty, and her involvement with Link, while it is joined with romantic feelings, is effectively restricted to performing her duty, and his: the duty to save the light world and her own world.

Originally Posted by LexLionHart

I would argue that romantic affection is a by-product of such friendship.

But then there is the cliché of having a friendship so deep, that one (or both parties) are hesitant at taking the step upto a romance, for fear of spoiling their friendship.
Also, it is possible to have friendships so deep that limerent and romantic thoughts are not even considered, as such thoughts seem unnatural to the persons, seeing how their friendship love can become akin to a familial one.

Originally Posted by SuperDecimal

So despite admitting the romance between Midna and Link was "painfully obvious" you still believe in a Zelda/Link romance in TP?
Did you read my other posts at all?

A connection does not a romance make, dear. :3

I can see Link and Midna as very good friend and people that care desperately for each other, but I don't think they'd make a good couple. :/ And mind you, I think Midna is one of the most attractive characters in the entire Zelda series. :3

The thing is, Link in TP is a total tool and really wouldn't do well in a position of power in a foreign land. :/ If anything, I think that Zelda and Link would get along together a lot better once they got to know each other. They didn't get to spend a lot of time together in TP, so we didn't get to see them interact well. But Midna's such a more imposing character, so I don't think they'd work out well.

In OOT, I *definitely* believe in a ZeLink relationship as well, and in most of the other games, there's no hint of romantic interest.

ZeLink all the way, punks.

Originally Posted by andi

A connection does not a romance make, dear. :3

I can see Link and Midna as very good friend and people that care desperately for each other, but I don't think they'd make a good couple. :/ And mind you, I think Midna is one of the most attractive characters in the entire Zelda series. :3

The thing is, Link in TP is a total tool and really wouldn't do well in a position of power in a foreign land. :/ If anything, I think that Zelda and Link would get along together a lot better once they got to know each other. They didn't get to spend a lot of time together in TP, so we didn't get to see them interact well. But Midna's such a more imposing character, so I don't think they'd work out well.

In OOT, I *definitely* believe in a ZeLink relationship as well, and in most of the other games, there's no hint of romantic interest.

ZeLink all the way, punks.

WOOT! Thank you!
There was also a little something in Wind Waker. Not enough to give solid evidence, but...
Like I said I LOVE it when the princess and the hero get together.

Originally Posted by SuperDecimal

But then there is the cliché of having a friendship so deep, that one (or both parties) are hesitant at taking the step upto a romance, for fear of spoiling their friendship.

That, I would say, is evidence against a deep friendship. A deep friendship, while both parties will do much to maintain it, does not operate around such fears.

Basically, you may have a "deep friendship" with somebody, but if your faith in that friendship is not strong enough to dispel those fears of taking the step up, maybe it's not as deep as you thought (and the romantic affections are certainly not).

Originally Posted by SuperDecimal

Also, it is possible to have friendships so deep that limerent and romantic thoughts are not even considered, as such thoughts seem unnatural to the persons, seeing how their friendship love can become akin to a familial one.

'Tis. But I see Link's "familial" relationships in TP, and they seem to extend toward Colin and his family (as well as the other children), not toward Ilia and hers.

Let's see my first vote would have been Zelda, but that was before i played Twilight Princess! Now i say Midna all the way.

Originally Posted by LexLionHart

'Tis. But I see Link's "familial" relationships in TP, and they seem to extend toward Colin and his family (as well as the other children), not toward Ilia and hers.

This is like the best point I've heard on Illia's argument for a long time XD

Link has a very familial relationship with the kids, almost like he was a big brother. It's fairly clear from a number of sequences (wherein Link would talk with the children, as well as anyone else around, be they parents or shaman, and then deal with Illia seperately from the rest) that Link's relationship with Illia is something entirely different. I don't want to come out and scream LOVE at this, but there is something much stronger than a brother/sister sort of thing.

And andi, there are plenty of hints in other games at a romantic relationship. The end of AoL, for instance XD More seriously, there's the whole of OoT. I'm a Malon supporter for that one, but the possibility of a ZeldaxLink pairing is huge. They see each other and deal with one another a good number of times, whereas the only time Link would even get to talk to Zelda would be from the end of the final battle to the end of the game--hardly any time at all.

And in WW... heck, she's by your side for a huge deal of the game! Probably more than any other so far. And there's a constant showing of a bond of friendship, if not love, between them.

Originally Posted by Lhot

This is like the best point I've heard on Illia's argument for a long time XD

Link has a very familial relationship with the kids, almost like he was a big brother. It's fairly clear from a number of sequences (wherein Link would talk with the children, as well as anyone else around, be they parents or shaman, and then deal with Illia seperately from the rest) that Link's relationship with Illia is something entirely different. I don't want to come out and scream LOVE at this, but there is something much stronger than a brother/sister sort of thing.

Agreed. From the first moment of the game and on, Ilia was firmly labelled as "Link's girl". I took it mean they were childhood friends that were on the brink of moving into full romantic love. Ilia clearly had deeper feelings than Link did, based on his awkwardness at the beginning, but he seemed to grow more that way as the game progressed. There was no mistaking it. There was outright love in his eyes when she remembers. However, the shock in his face when he saw Midna's true form ( his face said: " Wow, I never realized")
and his clear distraught look when he realized what she had done. ("I'll never see you again!" ) it really left me puzzled to his feelings at the end. In all likelihood, he'd end up with Ilia.
That said. I really root for Link and Zelda, but I was very disappointed in that aspect in TP.
She was breath-taking, not just externally, but in a radiant way which comes from the inside out. Link would not be male if he didn't at least notice that. However, the game was far too focused on the innocent village girl ( to my chagrin ) and Midna to allow for Zelda and Link to have a chance in this game.

Originally Posted by Lhot

And andi, there are plenty of hints in other games at a romantic relationship. The end of AoL, for instance XD More seriously, there's the whole of OoT. I'm a Malon supporter for that one, but the possibility of a ZeldaxLink pairing is huge. They see each other and deal with one another a good number of times, whereas the only time Link would even get to talk to Zelda would be from the end of the final battle to the end of the game--hardly any time at all.

And in WW... heck, she's by your side for a huge deal of the game! Probably more than any other so far. And there's a constant showing of a bond of friendship, if not love, between them.

Ok, please have patience with me: I am pretty new to Zelda forums, yet have noticed the large number of Link/Malon fans. I played through OoT for the first time last fall, and MM this month. I don't see where this is coming from. My very first time through, I was struck by Link and Zelda's bond, it never even occured to me that Link was interested in anyone else other than Zelda. ( Excepting Saria, but that's an impossibility owing to her inability to mature ) The heavily emotional ending really made this hit home.
He didn't seem to pay any special attention to Malon, no more so than any other friend on his. The manga ( non-canon, yes I know ) illustrated this nicely. The attraction was one-sided. I wouldn't count Cremia or Romani in this, though they look like Malon, they are completly different people.

Allright, so it's been quite some time since I last played through OoT, I'll admit. So my memories are a bit fuzzy. But it does seem like there was something that made me feel like they had a connection. Part of it was him rescuing her later on... bah. I need to play through it again XD Or at least find a game script or something.

I do have to say, though, that it didn't really seem to me like Link showed any particular interest towards ANYBODY in that game. He didn't really have much of a personality. He went after Zelda, yes, because he needed to, if nothing else. The Great Deky tree and told him to go meet her in the first place.

I will say that LinkxZelda in OoT is probably the most likely pairing, but it's not by alot. There really seem to be a number of options there.

I think that it should be Midna. Esspecially after the end of the game. The look on her face just screamed regret.

As for Illia, well after all they been through who do you think has a closer bond with link, Midna or Illia?

Originally Posted by Lhot

I will say that LinkxZelda in OoT is probably the most likely pairing, but it's not by alot. There really seem to be a number of options there.

I agree. And Lex, please don't be mad at me, but Link and Zelda ALSO had good chemistry and Link ALSO didn't freak out from her. And there's ALSO in game evidence that points to an eventual romance between them (sky scene, Link getting emotional about Zelda towards the end of the game, etc.). So the same things that you argued for Malon can also be argued for Zelda in OoT.

Hey there was an interview from 1995 from the adventure of Link where Miyamoto basically said after the events of the adventure of Link, Link and Zelda become the new rulers of Hyrule aka Link gets to be K.I.N.G! (there is also a hint in the japanese manual + that kiss at the ending)

As for Ocarina of time, the manga is canon EIJI AUNOUMA directs the manga himself with the Zelda staff also Miyamoto once said to Akira-san "Thank you Akira-san for expanding the world of Zelda" as a promotion on the Ocarina of time Zelda mangas. I really would say it's official when even Miyamoto creator of Zelda says that to Akira the manga artists.

As for TwilightPrincess, I dun know but there was an interview said that fans should fill up the holes themselves. The guy said that in NintendoPower 195 when the asked about the love affair with Link and Zelda. As for Midna and Ilia he just stated that they were friends of Link.

Personal I see Link grown out of Ilia and OrdonVillage , Link is a chosen hero he has duties and can't be 'just' a hero for the lil kids in Ordon. Link belongs to Hyrule at Zelda's side it always has been like that, Link can't live peacefully or normal in Ordon village.

So in the end I think he's heading back towards Zelda.

Actually at Ganondorf's battle where Zelda saves herself with Link she then asks Link to help her for the last time. I believe that's just the beginning of their relationship, I saw that as their introduction to eachother it was the only time where they were alone together without Midna or without Link beeing a wolf or without any danger. It's actually kinda symbolic; you see in Ocarina of time they ended their relationship "hand in hand" and in Twilight Princess they introduced eachother "hand in hand" like they finally found eachother back again.

=) Anyway whats a fact Link and Zelda are truelly destined to be together in all sorts of ways.