The Romance Thread IV: The Debate Continues

No, no, no. I don't think Link is a moron. He just simply isn't qualified to be a King ruling equally by Zelda's side as a royally educated nobleman suitor would be. Just because Link beats up a few monsters doesn't mean that automatically makes him qualified to rule a kingdom. Thats like saying Boxing and UFC champions are qualified to be the president of the United States. Either way OOT/MM Link is just a forest savage any way you look at it.

Sure Link would be a decent royal advisor to Zelda in helping her rule Hyrule and all. But other than that he seems no more than an ornamental royal sex slave always quietly standing by Zelda's side in all the royal meetings and only speaking when Zelda gives him permission to. And fittsurugi is right about me saying Link would be with Malon because he THEORETICALLY would want to be with her in the first place.

Why wouldn't he be fit? Since he's quietr smart and doesn't show any problems in learning and adapting quickly, I think he wouldn't have any problems with learning what's best for his kingdom. Besides, for the diplomatic stuff, there's still Zelda who could take care of it. After learning more about all that stuff, he should be able to make the right decisions. Even though he wouldn't be ine of those typical educated nobleman, I don't think that automatically disqualifies him.
And even if he chose Malon there'd also be unpleasant situations. Besides, who knows if there aren't some guys who like Malon? She's a nice and pretty girl after all.

Link's had a lot of lovers, but sometimes it can depend on the game.

Personally, Twilight Princess is my favorite, and from that game, I think his main lovers are Midna - mainly - Ilia, kind of, and Zelda, third, because there wasn't really a "click" with him and Zelda in that game. Ilia always seemed to be his girlfriend, but it was also obvious he loved Midna as it progessed into the credits.

But I agree with Iloydsymphonia; Ilia has always acted immature for her age and she never played a large role in Twilight Princess. And how could she lose her memory while caring for Prince Ralis?! Stupid. I have always stuck to the orginial love scheme: Link and Zelda - by far. But I do agree that he and Midna had something going on amidst the chaos with Ganondorf and the triumphs he'd conquer over and over.

Wait, if we agree about different Links, then why does Illia and Malon if theyre from different games.

Originally Posted by Yayu

Why wouldn't he be fit? Since he's quietr smart and doesn't show any problems in learning and adapting quickly, I think he wouldn't have any problems with learning what's best for his kingdom. Besides, for the diplomatic stuff, there's still Zelda who could take care of it. After learning more about all that stuff, he should be able to make the right decisions. Even though he wouldn't be ine of those typical educated nobleman, I don't think that automatically disqualifies him.
And even if he chose Malon there'd also be unpleasant situations. Besides, who knows if there aren't some guys who like Malon? She's a nice and pretty girl after all.

If OOT and TP Link were more assertive and outspoken like the 80's cartoon Link without stupid catch phrases, sure he could be a King someday. Yes even TP Link. But I think OOT/MM Link as a normally matured adult has a more realistic chance of being more than just a mere ornamental trophy pet. As I said before I can maybe see Ingo or potion shop guy hooking up with Malon but I would hope Link chooses her for a life of leisure at the ranch compared to the complexities of the royal lifestyle and royal court politics

Originally Posted by zeldafan10101

Link's had a lot of lovers, but sometimes it can depend on the game.

Personally, Twilight Princess is my favorite, and from that game, I think his main lovers are Midna - mainly - Ilia, kind of, and Zelda, third, because there wasn't really a "click" with him and Zelda in that game.

Link's relationship with Zelda in TP seems doomed for the inevitable unrequited shy nice guy admiring Zelda from afar in a very formal & business like working relationship in serving at the Castle. Nope no romance for Zelda with Link in this game for sure.

Why would Link have to be assertive? He just has to tell Zelda about his opinions on the matter and I don't think he wouldn't be able to do that. Heck, I'm anything but assertive and I'm able to tell people my opinion.

Yes and notice that you are not a King either. Sorry but its not a secret that unassertive soft spokenly shy follower personalities hardly ever become Kings at all. I know its hard to accept but thats just the way reality works. With Link quietly expressing his opinion and Zelda having the final say on EVERYTHING anyway Link is just a mere pet ornament/love slave who really doesn't fit living in the Castle at all. If he was a more assertive and outspoken leader type, only then can Link be a believable King ruling equally with Zelda 50/50. Sorry I just try to analyze things from a REALISTIC POV so I hope your feelings don't get hurt Yayu.

No, no, don't worry. I'm not hurt so easily
I just thought that Link could tell Zelda his opinions, she tells him hers and they decide together what would be the best thing to do... Even if the people would only see Zelda making the decisions, he'd still partake in making them. In that case, you can't really call him a "pet", can you?

It really depends. Since the Child Timeline after MM is theoretical anyway, its possible that Link would be less shy and more outspoken to be the way you want him to be as a King. But if OOT/MM Link is identical to the normally matured TP Link who is unusually shy and unassertive, I just can't see Link co ruling equally with Zelda 50/50 as a more qualified and well spokenly educated nobleman probably would.

TP Link really didn't seem that shy to me... When Ilia scolded him, even the her father was scared of her... (And she was pretty scary there ^^")
On the other side, when Zelda bowed and asked for his help, he didn't seem uncomfortable in any way and gave her his hand without hesitation.
Besides, TP Link and OoT Link are completely different anyway. While TP Link lived a normal life in Ordon and only became hero when he was around Adult OoT Link's age, OoT Link became one far earlier. He was confronted with all sorts of dangerous things at a young age... And,regarding MM's sidequests, also with dealing with feelings. You can't really compare them alll that much. And in MM, he wasn't to shy to deal with the feelings of the people, even if he didn't understand everything that was going on with Anju and Kafei (not surprising with his upbringing...).

Well whatever..I still don't think either OOT or TP Link have the personality of a leader more associated with a King like Beowulf or Leonidas from the movie 300. Compared to these guys OOT and TP Link are extremely shy whether we want to accept it or not. The only real difference between OOT and TP Link is one is a simple country boy and the other is a forest savage, but neither one of them are qualified to be a King either way. I still don't see the IN GAME Link as this macho well spoken leader type you claim him to be. Where is the proof Yayu?

Why is Link a forest savage? He is not Tarzan.

He was raised to be like a Kokiri child. What is so savage about that?

Originally Posted by Ganonslayer2000

I still don't see the IN GAME Link as this macho well spoken leader type you claim him to be. Where is the proof Yayu?

He may not be a "well spoken leader," but he's a freaking hero and a "macho" of sorts. He saved Hyrule from a freaking madman. How many men do you see doing that in Hyrule?

Originally Posted by The Goron Moron

Why is Link a forest savage? He is not Tarzan.

He was raised to be like a Kokiri child. What is so savage about that?

It's more that people would see him as a savage, out of prejudice, I expect.

Originally Posted by dany the dot

He may not be a "well spoken leader," but he's a freaking hero and a "macho" of sorts. He saved Hyrule from a freaking madman. How many men do you see doing that in Hyrule?

True but that still doesn't mean he is automatically qualified to be a King. Who would follow a guy who probably doesn't have enough social skills to address the royal subjects properly? Link is a great Hero but he would make a horrible King IMO. I still think a randomly royal educated nobleman would be more qualified for the job than a generally quiet and gentle natured forest person with minimal social skills.

When did I claim Link to be a well-spoken leader type? That's why Zelda would present any decisions they made together to the public. (Well, actually we don't know if he isn't good with words, since we never hear him speak.)
And a "randomly royal educated nobleman" is a horrible choice. If he's smart, nice and wants the best for his kingdom, then yeah, I'm all for him, but just a generic randomly royal educated nobleman... No.
Besides that, if you compare Link with some uber-macho guys, of course would he appear shy. But if I compare him to the guys I know, he doesn't seem "extremly shy", but rather more mature than them. Far more mature. So I don't think it's that bad... Maybe more the silent type, but silent doesn't equal shy.
And the people seem to put quite a bit of trust into him, at least the ones that know aboutt him and his deeds. They really seem to naturally begin to trust and belive in him... If you look at Ordon's kids, they even idolize him. They don't do that with Rusl, eveen though he's the one who taught Link the skills he had in the beginning, so there seems to be something special about him. I don't think the people not trusting the hero that saved them would be that great of an issue. And if he has the trust of the people, why would he still need to be the typical, assertive leader?

it does depend on the game
but zelda still wins
like i said before, damsel in distress story
the only one that is different is MM, then its probably
lulu, even though she doesn't even know that Makau is really link

Originally Posted by Yayu

And if he has the trust of the people, why would he still need to be the typical, assertive leader?

I think you answered your question for me. Assertive leaders LEAD. Silent & obedient nice guys FOLLOW. Its not that hard to understand if you understand what reality is.

But Link showed that he can decide himself what to do, if there's no one to order him. And since the people trust him, some even admire him, they'd want to know his opinion, wouldn't they? And they'd do what he thinks is right out of that trust... So, indirectly, he would lead them, without being an actual leader. I mean, why wouldn't they want to knw his opinion on what to do, when he showed that he's able to solve difficult problems? And then, why shouldn't they act based on that? It would be the logical thing to do...

I agree with you in a way about knowing Link's OPINION on things, but I'm still not convinced that alone automatically qualifies Link to be a King. If it never happens in the real world or documented history, then there is nothing for me to believe that it will happen to a fictional character like Link.