The Romance Thread IV: The Debate Continues

Originally Posted by Ganonslayer2000

Well I think the Malon relationship can work under simple circumstances.

1. Hyrule will not need saving 24/7.

2. True that the LinkxMalon relationship will hinder Link to miss some stupid royal meeting on sending envoys to the Goron, Zora, and Deku people but big deal. Zelda could get some other submissive putz to do it.

3. The 50-100 hrs it takes to save Hyrule and Zelda will not cause a catastrophy in the farm or the relationship at all.

4. Malon will not go into a crazy nervous breakdown because Link broke a fingernail on the way back from the quest.

5. Malon just needs more guys to boss around and OOT Link loves to be bossed around without a doubt.

I only mean pet as referencing to child Links usually annoyingly over obedient ways thats all. But yeah...I'm the guy that picks no on the options at least 20 times before I'm forced to pick the yes and I'm sorry if I come off rude. Its only because your a great debate challenge.

I hope you truly realise that the only reason Link seems to be bossed around is for the quest and mini-quests can actually happen. If someone gave Link a quest, in a Zelda game, and he said 'no' then the player has no objective and the game is pointless. Also, "broken fingernail"? MAJOR understatement. Try NEARLY GETTING KILLED. I dunno about you guys, but I found the boos in TP that you get the Ball and Chain from pretty hard. As well as actually getting to the Forest temple in OoT, those ork-pig things with the large clubs that send small explosions or something at you...

Originally Posted by Ganonslayer2000

Well I think the Malon relationship can work under simple circumstances.

1. Hyrule will not need saving 24/7.

2. True that the LinkxMalon relationship will hinder Link to miss some stupid royal meeting on sending envoys to the Goron, Zora, and Deku people but big deal. Zelda could get some other submissive putz to do it.

3. The 50-100 hrs it takes to save Hyrule and Zelda will not cause a catastrophy in the farm or the relationship at all.

4. Malon will not go into a crazy nervous breakdown because Link broke a fingernail on the way back from the quest.

5. Malon just needs more guys to boss around and OOT Link loves to be bossed around without a doubt.

I only mean pet as referencing to child Links usually annoyingly over obedient ways thats all. But yeah...I'm the guy that picks no on the options at least 20 times before I'm forced to pick the yes and I'm sorry if I come off rude. Its only because your a great debate challenge.

I hope you truly realise that the only reason Link seems to be bossed around is so the quest and mini-quests can actually happen. If someone gave Link a quest, in a Zelda game, and he said 'no' then the player has no objective and the game is pointless. Also, "broken fingernail"? MAJOR understatement. Try NEARLY GETTING KILLED. I dunno about you guys, but I found the boss in TP that you get the Ball and Chain from pretty hard. As well as actually getting to the Forest temple in OoT, those ork-pig things with the large clubs that send small explosions or something at you...

I have a feeling that Link might feel more at home with Zelda by serving as a full time, high ranked knight than working as a full time farmer with Malon. I'm not sure. He is a hero after all and he may like the fact that he may want to serve as a knight for Zelda to continue on with his role for who he is.

I just have a feeling that Link may want to be more than a farmer after what he went through. I see the farm as a "settling in" kind of lifestyle.

Originally Posted by Blackfire667

I hope you truly realise that the only reason Link seems to be bossed around is for the quest and mini-quests can actually happen. If someone gave Link a quest, in a Zelda game, and he said 'no' then the player has no objective and the game is pointless. Also, "broken fingernail"? MAJOR understatement. Try NEARLY GETTING KILLED. I dunno about you guys, but I found the boos in TP that you get the Ball and Chain from pretty hard. As well as actually getting to the Forest temple in OoT, those ork-pig things with the large clubs that send small explosions or something at you...

Not to brag, but I have never died in a 3D Zelda game ever. On my first playthrough of OOT I almost died on Bongo Bongo because it took me awhile to realize I had to use the eye of truth. But other than that I beat OOT relatively easy. After 4 or 5 easy playthroughs I sold my N64 to get a Playstation at that time. Here recently I had bought the collectors edition and have already played it through twice and since I usually feel invincible playing OOT, I speculate that OOT Link is like me in totally dominating Hyrule with an iron fist. But yeah....thats pretty much the source of my chipped fingernail theory

As for OOT Link enjoying his life in being bossed around its just me wishing for a future Zelda game with a Fable like theme in which choices can lead to different consequences.

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

I have a feeling that Link might feel more at home with Zelda by serving as a full time, high ranked knight than working as a full time farmer with Malon. I'm not sure. He is a hero after all and he may like the fact that he may want to serve as a knight for Zelda to continue on with his role for who he is.

I just have a feeling that Link may want to be more than a farmer after what he went through. I see the farm as a "settling in" kind of lifestyle.

I'm really glad you bought up this point and I'll try to simplify it as much as I can and avoid writing a big long essay.

Theory of OOT Link child timeline: To me this is the best circumstance for LinkxZelda. But I think that maybe Link also developed a sweet innocent loving relationship with Malon as well as Zelda over the years and possibly choose Malon over Zelda when he came of age. But without a doubt Link would still care enough about Zelda to do his duty and help Zelda whenever she would summon him from LonLon Ranch. But on the other hand, it would probably be more convienient if he simply chose Zelda over Malon and live the good life in hyrule castle.

Theory of OOT Link adult timeline: If you want to debate me on this know that I will not be offended. I simply think the LinkxZelda is almost impossible mainly because of Link's mental state of mind in being a sweet innocent child going through the stress and anxiety in being trapped in a mans body with a fixed confused look on his face at all times. Now that Ganon is defeated Link would now be a fish out of water as some comically bizarre novelty of the Hyrule Court. Zelda will just leave him be because she thinks he is cute and adorable just the way he is, and have him stand close to her looking like a clueless idiot during important royal counsels of serious discussion that Link would not even remotely understand. Sorry this just does not look right at all. IMO it would only be a matter of time before a Malon, Nabooru or Ruto would have him seduced and lured away from Zelda, but whoever it would be he would either have to be a full time farmer, thief apprentice, or Zora prince.

Okay, I’m dragging myself out of an extensively prolonged state of lurking because this made me curious:

Originally Posted by gliderpilotgirl

( Note: there was a hug in the beta version. Why it was removed I have no idea, but the thought was there )

There was a hug in the beta version? That would have been sweet, although I agree that the final version created a strong effect the way it was. Where did you find out about this?

For the sake of contributing to the discussion…

Originally Posted by Ganonslayer2000

Theory of OOT Link adult timeline: If you want to debate me on this know that I will not be offended. I simply think the LinkxZelda is almost impossible mainly because of Link's mental state of mind in being a sweet innocent child going through the stress and anxiety in being trapped in a mans body with a fixed confused look on his face at all times. Now that Ganon is defeated Link would now be a fish out of water as some comically bizarre novelty of the Hyrule Court. Zelda will just leave him be because she thinks he is cute and adorable just the way he is, and have him stand close to her looking like a clueless idiot during important royal counsels of serious discussion that Link would not even remotely understand. Sorry this just does not look right at all.

I find it kind of insulting to Link’s character to suggest that he has absolutely no idea what’s going on around him and is just blindly following orders. He’s not stupid; surely everything he’s done has given him some understanding of the duty he is bound by destiny to carry out. He couldn’t go through so many battles and trials and not learn something from his experiences. Even if he did have a child’s mentality at first, the things that he was dealing with would probably have forced him to mature quickly; kids can know more about things than is expected of them (although personally I like to think that Adult Link was a man both in mind and body).

I also don’t think it’s consistent with Zelda’s character to leave him clueless about issues that should be important to him. She has the Triforce of Wisdom, and would probably consider it her duty to educate him if he were confused.

Originally Posted by Aquanut

I find it kind of insulting to Link’s character to suggest that he has absolutely no idea what’s going on around him and is just blindly following orders. He’s not stupid; surely everything he’s done has given him some understanding of the duty he is bound by destiny to carry out. He couldn’t go through so many battles and trials and not learn something from his experiences. Even if he did have a child’s mentality at first, the things that he was dealing with would probably have forced him to mature quickly; kids can know more about things than is expected of them (although personally I like to think that Adult Link was a man both in mind and body).

I also don’t think it’s consistent with Zelda’s character to leave him clueless about issues that should be important to him. She has the Triforce of Wisdom, and would probably consider it her duty to educate him if he were confused.

Agreed. I think that Link is more mature than any child in Hyrule. He has faced far more than what the average adult would face in their lifetime living in Hyrule. Link faced blood and battle at a very young age, and usually parents would freak out if their child was involved in such matters. With what he has been through, this would have gave him a dramatic increase on his maturity level. Children around his age would cry and try to run. But Link faces most of everyone's fears. So he is more mature than you can ever imagine.

And for the fact that Link continues to adventure even when he is a full grown man, he learns different things everyday. He even gets close with some of the woman and battles the scariests beasts ever to roam Hyrule. So he would be a very mature man, but in my opinion, a very quiet man at least.

Malon seems like the sweet girl, but her mouth seems over too excited whenever she sees him. Zelda says words that are caring and wise and she is extremely intelligent, more than Malon in my opinion.

And for the fact that Zelda carries the Triforce of Wisdom, she and Link can work together to protect their world from threats. I'm sure that Link would want to know what is happening everyday and the best place for that would be to stay in the castle with Zelda, possibly as a knight in a high class.

Originally Posted by Aquanut

There was a hug in the beta version? That would have been sweet, although I agree that the final version created a strong effect the way it was. Where did you find out about this?

Word of mouth, honestly. I am aware how unreliable that can be but I'll try to come up with a source.

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

Agreed. I think that Link is more mature than any child in Hyrule. He has faced far more than what the average adult would face in their lifetime living in Hyrule. Link faced blood and battle at a very young age, and usually parents would freak out if their child was involved in such matters. With what he has been through, this would have gave him a dramatic increase on his maturity level. Children around his age would cry and try to run. But Link faces most of everyone's fears. So he is more mature than you can ever imagine.

And for the fact that Link continues to adventure even when he is a full grown man, he learns different things everyday. He even gets close with some of the woman and battles the scariests beasts ever to roam Hyrule. So he would be a very mature man, but in my opinion, a very quiet man at least.

Agreed with both of you. That's exactly what I meant earlier by saying how much more mature MM's Link was compared to TP Link. TP Link was just some farmboy living in a backwater village when he was 17, by the time OoT/MM Link would have grown up a second time, he'd make TP Link look like a kid.

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

Malon seems like the sweet girl, but her mouth seems over too excited whenever she sees him. Zelda says words that are caring and wise and she is extremely intelligent, more than Malon in my opinion.

That's pretty much how I see Malon, rather than as some worldly seductress.
A starry-eyed young girl with dreams of family and the like, but very much an innocent child. I very much agree that kid Zelda ( despite being a child too) is much more mature than Malon.
Overall, when I think of MM Link, I expect again the maturity thing would come majorly into play. He's much more mature than a ten-year old should be, and he would likely gravitate towards Zelda as she's the same. All I can think of is how a real life 13-14 year old ( Link's possible maturity level ) would act around a ten-year old. ( Malon's maturity level ) Do they usually want to hang out with them, or worse date them? Nope. They usually find them annoying.

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

And for the fact that Zelda carries the Triforce of Wisdom, she and Link can work together to protect their world from threats. I'm sure that Link would want to know what is happening everyday and the best place for that would be to stay in the castle with Zelda, possibly as a knight in a high class.

One thing that I often feel is forgotten in this debate is who exactly Zelda is. She's the princess and future ruler of the whole land. Also likely one of the wisest, most intelligent and most beautiful women Link will ever get a chance to meet. Spending time with her is a privilege..not a right. Few will get the chance to see her let alone get to know her. I doubt this would be lost on Link. If he was ever given a chance at her hand, it would be a great honor that many other men would fight for.

Originally Posted by Ganonslayer2000

Not to brag, but I have never died in a 3D Zelda game ever. On my first playthrough of OOT I almost died on Bongo Bongo because it took me awhile to realize I had to use the eye of truth. But other than that I beat OOT relatively easy. After 4 or 5 easy playthroughs I sold my N64 to get a Playstation at that time. Here recently I had bought the collectors edition and have already played it through twice and since I usually feel invincible playing OOT, I speculate that OOT Link is like me in totally dominating Hyrule with an iron fist. But yeah....thats pretty much the source of my chipped fingernail theory

As for OOT Link enjoying his life in being bossed around its just me wishing for a future Zelda game with a Fable like theme in which choices can lead to different consequences.



I'm really glad you bought up this point and I'll try to simplify it as much as I can and avoid writing a big long essay.

Theory of OOT Link child timeline: To me this is the best circumstance for LinkxZelda. But I think that maybe Link also developed a sweet innocent loving relationship with Malon as well as Zelda over the years and possibly choose Malon over Zelda when he came of age. But without a doubt Link would still care enough about Zelda to do his duty and help Zelda whenever she would summon him from LonLon Ranch. But on the other hand, it would probably be more convienient if he simply chose Zelda over Malon and live the good life in hyrule castle.

Theory of OOT Link adult timeline: If you want to debate me on this know that I will not be offended. I simply think the LinkxZelda is almost impossible mainly because of Link's mental state of mind in being a sweet innocent child going through the stress and anxiety in being trapped in a mans body with a fixed confused look on his face at all times. Now that Ganon is defeated Link would now be a fish out of water as some comically bizarre novelty of the Hyrule Court. Zelda will just leave him be because she thinks he is cute and adorable just the way he is, and have him stand close to her looking like a clueless idiot during important royal counsels of serious discussion that Link would not even remotely understand. Sorry this just does not look right at all. IMO it would only be a matter of time before a Malon, Nabooru or Ruto would have him seduced and lured away from Zelda, but whoever it would be he would either have to be a full time farmer, thief apprentice, or Zora prince.

No kidding? You find OoT easy??? I've had it for a pretty long time now and I still havn't beat it (Even though the puzzels are more my problem then the enemies and I really don't play it too often) !

As for the Fable-like-Zelda-game, I've never played Falbe but I think I know what you mean. Didn't we talk about wanting a more open-ended Zelda game before?

And, as funny as a clue-less Link standing around like an idiot is, It's un-realistic because Zelda doesn't need a pet moron, no matter how cute. Judgeing by what little glimpses of signifigant personallity we see in her: I'd say she was more of a serious, no-nonesense girl.

Originally Posted by Aquanut

Okay, I’m dragging myself out of an extensively prolonged state of lurking because this made me curious:

There was a hug in the beta version? That would have been sweet, although I agree that the final version created a strong effect the way it was. Where did you find out about this?

For the sake of contributing to the discussion…

I find it kind of insulting to Link’s character to suggest that he has absolutely no idea what’s going on around him and is just blindly following orders. He’s not stupid; surely everything he’s done has given him some understanding of the duty he is bound by destiny to carry out. He couldn’t go through so many battles and trials and not learn something from his experiences. Even if he did have a child’s mentality at first, the things that he was dealing with would probably have forced him to mature quickly; kids can know more about things than is expected of them (although personally I like to think that Adult Link was a man both in mind and body).

I also don’t think it’s consistent with Zelda’s character to leave him clueless about issues that should be important to him. She has the Triforce of Wisdom, and would probably consider it her duty to educate him if he were confused.

the beta version that gilderpilot mentioned is really interesting to me as well. Maybe it was ommited because Child Link and Zelda's beta hug may have been to suggestive in giving audiences the wrong idea about an improper relationship for little children. Anyway...I now know that I may have been a little exxageratted on MM Link being over eager to leave Zelda for a brief change of scenery. His sincere heart felt memory for Zelda in learning the song of time, and the end of MM indicated to me that he had genuinely missed Zelda and his care free and fun life living in HyruleCastle with her and experiencing and sharing Zeldas extravagant lifestyle in being a daddy's little princess.

The Adult OOT Link you mentioned is the better description of the way I percieve child timeline Adult Link. My implied stupidity of the other OOT Link is not his fault by any means and to me he is just a hapless victim of bad circumstances for a LinkxZelda to never be married. Believe it or not I sympathize for him if anything and would love for him to eventually make sense of things to finally give him peace of mind. But living out of place in palace life will only keep him in a sad state of arrested development. So IMO its better for this Link in this mental state to live a more slow paced simple life and grow and mature mentally with the alternate love interest of choice. I know that Zelda has the TOW and could somewhat help in Link's dillemma. But outside of teaching him courtly manners, how to dance the waltz, and when not to speak out of place is as close as he would mature romantically I'm afraid. Despite the likely possibility that he will eventually end up with either Malon, Nabooru, Ruto, or even the Cucco lady, Link will surely always maintain the instinctual urge to save and protect Zelda when Ganon would make his much expected return. Link would then leave his alternate love interest of choice for a brief month or two and return safely when Zelda is saved and restored back to the throne

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

Agreed. I think that Link is more mature than any child in Hyrule. He has faced far more than what the average adult would face in their lifetime living in Hyrule. Link faced blood and battle at a very young age, and usually parents would freak out if their child was involved in such matters. With what he has been through, this would have gave him a dramatic increase on his maturity level. Children around his age would cry and try to run. But Link faces most of everyone's fears. So he is more mature than you can ever imagine.

And for the fact that Link continues to adventure even when he is a full grown man, he learns different things everyday. He even gets close with some of the woman and battles the scariests beasts ever to roam Hyrule. So he would be a very mature man, but in my opinion, a very quiet man at least.

Malon seems like the sweet girl, but her mouth seems over too excited whenever she sees him. Zelda says words that are caring and wise and she is extremely intelligent, more than Malon in my opinion.

And for the fact that Zelda carries the Triforce of Wisdom, she and Link can work together to protect their world from threats. I'm sure that Link would want to know what is happening everyday and the best place for that would be to stay in the castle with Zelda, possibly as a knight in a high class.

True that child Link can probably take on about 5 kids his age and pummel them badly. All I'm saying is that logically a decently trained Hyrule foot soldier should be able to impale child Link right between the eyes and the fights over. Or at least the soldier can just kindly carry him by the collar and take him to Zelda whenever he is randomly roaming Hyrule Castle by himself and unsupervised by Zelda and getting into fun mischief.

I can't argue with well educated Zelda being more smarter than peasant girl with no formal education Malon. Thats for sure. And without a doubt in the ideal LinkxZelda situation Link would definitely be a knight in a high class who would be present with other highly ranked Hyrule knights in royal meetings at the hyrule court. Here Link can have the platform to express his opinions when called upon in dealing with military matters and maybe some diplomatic issues as well.

Originally Posted by Ganonslayer2000

the beta version that gilderpilot mentioned is really interesting to me as well. Maybe it was ommited because Child Link and Zelda's beta hug may have been to suggestive in giving audiences the wrong idea about an improper relationship for little children. Anyway...I now know that I may have been a little exxageratted on MM Link being over eager to leave Zelda for a brief change of scenery. His sincere heart felt memory for Zelda in learning the song of time, and the end of MM indicated to me that he had genuinely missed Zelda and his care free and fun life living in HyruleCastle with her and experiencing and sharing Zeldas extravagant lifestyle in being a daddy's little princess.

The Adult OOT Link you mentioned is the better description of the way I percieve child timeline Adult Link. My implied stupidity of the other OOT Link is not his fault by any means and to me he is just a hapless victim of bad circumstances for a LinkxZelda to never be married. Believe it or not I sympathize for him if anything and would love for him to eventually make sense of things to finally give him peace of mind. But living out of place in palace life will only keep him in a sad state of arrested development. So IMO its better for this Link in this mental state to live a more slow paced simple life and grow and mature mentally with the alternate love interest of choice. I know that Zelda has the TOW and could somewhat help in Link's dillemma. But outside of teaching him courtly manners, how to dance the waltz, and when not to speak out of place is as close as he would mature romantically I'm afraid. Despite the likely possibility that he will eventually end up with either Malon, Nabooru, Ruto, or even the Cucco lady, Link will surely always maintain the instinctual urge to save and protect Zelda when Ganon would make his much expected return. Link would then leave his alternate love interest of choice for a brief month or two and return safely when Zelda is saved and restored back to the throne



True that child Link can probably take on about 5 kids his age and pummel them badly. All I'm saying is that logically a decently trained Hyrule foot soldier should be able to impale child Link right between the eyes and the fights over. Or at least the soldier can just kindly carry him by the collar and take him to Zelda whenever he is randomly roaming Hyrule Castle by himself and unsupervised by Zelda and getting into fun mischief.

I can't argue with well educated Zelda being more smarter than peasant girl with no formal education Malon. Thats for sure. And without a doubt in the ideal LinkxZelda situation Link would definitely be a knight in a high class who would be present with other highly ranked Hyrule knights in royal meetings at the hyrule court. Here Link can have the platform to express his opinions when called upon in dealing with military matters and maybe some diplomatic issues as well.

What, you think this is all Zelda knows? It the Triforce of Wisdom, no strings attached. Not the triforce of wisdom of formalities only. Not only is she a smart girl, but Divine wisdom helps. Also, there's no real evidence to indicate that Zelda is isolated compleatly from the world. So she'd know everything(of importance) the average person would and much more.

I am in no way denying Zeldas wisdom at all. It takes a lot of wisdom to run a whole country by yourself if you ask me. All I've been saying is that Adult Time line Link would be more of a useless liability than an asset in helping Zelda run Hyrule thats all. Plus his never changing naive innocence in coping with being in a place and surrounding where he doesn't fit in at all will be detrimental to him in the long run. Yes Zelda has the TOW and with her daily guidance and wisdom would alleviate any stress and anxiety that Link may have in being Zelda's personally kept man/child freakshow with an odd distracting fairy encirlcling him once in awhile. With that said I can't picture Zelda using the TOW to make Link learn the adult responsibilities in being an active member of the Hyrule Court overnight. Nor do I believe that she will use the TOW to educate sweet innoccent Link about the birds and the bees either. That would be totally out of her character I'm afraid.

If Zelda had any great wisdom, she would use it to place Link doing something that he can probably actually do well. Like give him a semi important special mission of some sort outside of living and taking up space in Hyrule Castle to go all around Hyrule and help its citizens that have problems and help them solve them. Doing this during peacetime in hyrule will probably help Link grow mentally a lot faster instead of remaining at Hyrule Castle as Zeldas over obedient puppy dog who also happens to be completely out of his element and in over his head. So IMO Zelda should be able to love Link enough to let him go to by giving him something constructive to do outside of living close to her in Hyrule Castle that will greatly help him to find his place in the world as an odd man with a fairy and a lost childhood. To me this would be the greatest thing that Zelda could do for Link.

So hopefully for Links sake, Zelda would wisely release Link from being bound to Hyrule castle to live and socialize among the commoners and other races. It would then leave the door wide open for the alternate love interests to have a chance with Link, while Zelda is formally reduced to the gentle, nurturing, motherly type for Link, who is only good for giving him guidance and wisdom when needed. So no passionate kissyface to the mouth will ever happen between her and Link in this timeline. Of course Zelda genuinely loves Link being by her side, but knows that his fragile mind in dealing with the everyday complexity of palace politics, and the hyrule nobles probably criticizing Links uselessness in being among them would be too overwhelming for simple child minded Link to bear and would probably also feel really bad in thinking that he is letting Zelda down in being such a liability. Zelda should know that Links fragile little mind in these bad circumstances is not good for him at all, so she will then love him enough to release him from her care and encourage him to get away from this unhealthy enviorenment of palace life in order to find his own path somewhere in Hyrule where he can fit in and eventually be happy and have peace of mind. And so Link and Zelda would formally part ways in this timeline, and therefore a potential intimate romantic relationship with him could never be possible. And without a doubt she has the wisdom to accept that Link was never meant to be with her in the firstplace. At least in this timeline.

But may I remind you that this adult timeline is not actually possible: seeing as once Link beat ganon she sent him back in time, back to the child timeline where he supposedly went running back to her. Likely to see if everything went as planned and she was still there or just because he wanted to see her again, but this time with no impending doom. On this note, seeing as they'd now grow up together and were already good friends, the likely-hood they'd develope at least crush on one another is relativly high. This way, Link would not be a bumbleing idiot and an over obey-ing Hilyan-puppy and would have mentally matured normally as well as phisically. If anything, growing up being friends with a princess would have a rather large amount of perks...

Originally Posted by Blackfire667

But may I remind you that this adult timeline is not actually possible: seeing as once Link beat ganon she sent him back in time, back to the child timeline where he supposedly went running back to her. Likely to see if everything went as planned and she was still there or just because he wanted to see her again, but this time with no impending doom. On this note, seeing as they'd now grow up together and were already good friends, the likely-hood they'd develope at least crush on one another is relativly high. This way, Link would not be a bumbleing idiot and an over obey-ing Hilyan-puppy and would have mentally matured normally as well as phisically. If anything, growing up being friends with a princess would have a rather large amount of perks...

LOL!! That was funny, But BUMBLING IDIOT is a pretty harsh way to put it. I more or less look at this Link in a more sympathetic way as an out of place man/child with the soul of an angelic cherub. I view the other OOT Link as a more "cooler" or more laid back Link who would act differently in the same situations. To explain:

In a theoretical scenario, I think I mentioned that a minority faction of hyrule nobles may object to Zelda showing favor to Link in the full presence of the Hyrule Court. These theoretical nobles would then shout insults and taunts directed at both Link and Zelda that may cause Zelda to be visually upset.

1. The cooler OOT Link would simply just tell the heckling nobles "Silence you cackling dogs!!" or something like that and go on a well spoken short speech in defending Zeldas honor. Then he would maybe challenge all the rogue nobles to a chivalric duel in taking them all at once. Of course the nobles would naturally back down from Link and thus by some random chivalric law this would mean the nobles would recant their insults to conclude in Zelda and Links honor being restored. Zelda would then maybe be so overcome with elated emotion on how Link suavely handled that courtly situation that she gets off her throne and unexpectedly gives him a romantic movie style mouth to mouth kiss. LinkxZelda

2. Bumbling idiot Link would react in raw and pure instinct in seeing Zelda being hurt by insults that he would run at the same heckling nobles and then start beating them to a bloody pulp. Zelda would then scream "LINK....STOP!!" and of course he would stop immediately. But the mistake of Link going into the pure instinctual mode of aggression in protecting Zelda at the slightest of harms would be the cause of a bad domino effect of events. It would not be a far stretch to believe that the nobles involved in this incident with Link would politically use this to mud smear Link even more to gain more unanimous support in focusing on Link's mental handicapp of being a child in a very strong mans body as reason for him to not be allowed in Hyrule Castle anymore as he would be deemed unpredictable and violent. Especially when he heard anyone giving an opposing opinion to Zelda during the royal debates and discussions he generally has no clue about anyway. Zelda would then call a royal meeting to naturally defend Link in remaining under her protective motherly wing and thus her word is final. But after the royal meeting she would tell Link in private the heartbreaking news that next time this happens she may not be able protect him anymore in him staying close by her side at Hyrule Castle. Then there would be even more added anxiety and confusion to Links mind as he can only believe that his previous action in breaking courtly protocol to protect Zelda's honor as the 100% right thing to do.

Originally Posted by Ganonslayer2000

2. Bumbling idiot Link would react in raw and pure instinct in seeing Zelda being hurt by insults that he would run at the same heckling nobles and then start beating them to a bloody pulp. Zelda would then scream "LINK....STOP!!" and of course he would stop immediately. But the mistake of Link going into the pure instinctual mode of aggression in protecting Zelda at the slightest of harms would be the cause of a bad domino effect of events. It would not be a far stretch to believe that the nobles involved in this incident with Link would politically use this to mud smear Link even more to gain more unanimous support in focusing on Link's mental handicapp of being a child in a very strong mans body as reason for him to not be allowed in Hyrule Castle anymore as he would be deemed unpredictable and violent. Especially when he heard anyone giving an opposing opinion to Zelda during the royal debates and discussions he generally has no clue about anyway. Zelda would then call a royal meeting to naturally defend Link in remaining under her protective motherly wing and thus her word is final. But after the royal meeting she would tell Link in private the heartbreaking news that next time this happens she may not be able protect him anymore in him staying close by her side at Hyrule Castle. Then there would be even more added anxiety and confusion to Links mind as he can only believe that his previous action in breaking courtly protocol to protect Zelda's honor as the 100% right thing to do.

I don't think Link is that stupid and protective over the existence of Zelda. He would honour to give her some room and personal space as she has been in the throne for much longer than he has. She was born to the job and Link just kind of jumps in. Of course, Link might not understand much when it comes to the role of being a protector of the Royal Family, but close experience and with the guide of Zelda and other superioir knights working close to him, he will catch the job on fast, because it runs in his blood.

Link is more mature than we think.

With child timeline OOT and TP Link I agree with you 100%. Its just with Adult timeline OOT Link there is absolutely nothing for me to believe that he could adjust to the courtly life in Hyrule Castle in his child like mental state. To be the protecor of the Hyrule royal family as you say requires a strong mature mind and emotional temperance to make sound decisions in fulfilling that role IMO. With child timeline OOT and TP Link this is most definitely possible. But with Adult timeline OOT Link, even if he were to socially adjust well enough for Zelda to allow him to be by her side at all times, within the royal court he would only be this strange curiosity of a very disturbingly quiet man/child with an annoying talking fairy occasionally circling around him. This Link does not posess the mental capacity for good enough public speaking skills at all to contribute any type of opinion in the Hyrule court deemed worthy of taking into consideration.

All I can picture is Zelda maybe asking for Links opinion at the tail end of a royal meeting on a random issue in which Link will expectedly respond with that signature blank/confused look on his face and a gentle sigh as Navi twirls around him. This would just draw a few giggles and laughs from Zelda and the nobility as she would then declare the royal meeting concluded. Of course Link would not care one bit about his insignificant role in the monotony of daily Hyrule courtly meetings so long as he is always by Zeldas side at all times in opening doors for her and just being an all around sweet and obedient angel 24/7.

Personally I just prefer this Link to eventually leave the hyrule court where he is obviously out of place, and find his own path outside of uselessly living in Hyrule Castle where he can mentally grow and mature and eventually settle into a more simpler lifestyle suited for him. Whether that be with Malon at LonLon ranch, Nabooru and the Gerudo thieves, Ruto in the Zora kingdom, Cucco lady in Kakariko village, or even Saria at the kokiri forest who knows.

hey u all should know certain games have different love interests for link. In Tp, Midna can never see Link again cause she destroyed the gateway to the twilight realm. zelda doesn't even know Link as friends at all. Not like he was summoned to go and meet her. so in conclusion, Ilia is the best choice you see her waiting for Link to return with her hands on her heart.

Originally Posted by Ganonslayer2000

With child timeline OOT and TP Link I agree with you 100%. Its just with Adult timeline OOT Link there is absolutely nothing for me to believe that he could adjust to the courtly life in Hyrule Castle in his child like mental state. To be the protecor of the Hyrule royal family as you say requires a strong mature mind and emotional temperance to make sound decisions in fulfilling that role IMO. With child timeline OOT and TP Link this is most definitely possible. But with Adult timeline OOT Link, even if he were to socially adjust well enough for Zelda to allow him to be by her side at all times, within the royal court he would only be this strange curiosity of a very disturbingly quiet man/child with an annoying talking fairy occasionally circling around him. This Link does not posess the mental capacity for good enough public speaking skills at all to contribute any type of opinion in the Hyrule court deemed worthy of taking into consideration.

All I can picture is Zelda maybe asking for Links opinion at the tail end of a royal meeting on a random issue in which Link will expectedly respond with that signature blank/confused look on his face and a gentle sigh as Navi twirls around him. This would just draw a few giggles and laughs from Zelda and the nobility as she would then declare the royal meeting concluded. Of course Link would not care one bit about his insignificant role in the monotony of daily Hyrule courtly meetings so long as he is always by Zeldas side at all times in opening doors for her and just being an all around sweet and obedient angel 24/7.

Personally I just prefer this Link to eventually leave the hyrule court where he is obviously out of place, and find his own path outside of uselessly living in Hyrule Castle where he can mentally grow and mature and eventually settle into a more simpler lifestyle suited for him. Whether that be with Malon at LonLon ranch, Nabooru and the Gerudo thieves, Ruto in the Zora kingdom, Cucco lady in Kakariko village, or even Saria at the kokiri forest who knows.

Firstly, I'd like to say I AGREE (for once)! (The "bumbling idiot/adorable puppy" Link has no place in Hyrule castle, except maybe in the courtyard or somewhere Link can be with Zelda without bothering anyone. "Puppy-dog Link" is a time-bomb for disaster waiting to happen, especially if Zelda takes him to the courts. But the child timeline Link in OoT is perfectly fine for her, especially since they'll have grown up together.

Also, WHY THE CUCCO LADY?!?! That's pretty creepy, if you ask me. A lady looses her chickens then give you a bottle (right?) when you give them back. She probably has an affair with each chicken .

If, in TP, Link was turned into a dog after he hooked up with Zelda THEN the "puppy dog" thing would be better...

Zelda: "Sit, Link!"
Person-in-royal-court: "that's a fine dog you have there, Princess!"
Zelda: "Oh, he's not really a dog. He's my boyfriend."
Person:

Originally Posted by Link122

hey u all should know certain games have different love interests for link. In Tp, Midna can never see Link again cause she destroyed the gateway to the twilight realm. zelda doesn't even know Link as friends at all. Not like he was summoned to go and meet her. so in conclusion, Ilia is the best choice you see her waiting for Link to return with her hands on her heart.

True but too bad Link rode away from Illia and that big ugly head of hers at the end. But I agree with your points on other possible love interests. Me personally I like Ashei, Telma, Hena and yes even Fado for Link as the best compatible

Originally Posted by Blackfire667

Firstly, I'd like to say I AGREE (for once)! (The "bumbling idiot/adorable puppy" Link has no place in Hyrule castle, except maybe in the courtyard or somewhere Link can be with Zelda without bothering anyone. "Puppy-dog Link" is a time-bomb for disaster waiting to happen, especially if Zelda takes him to the courts. But the child timeline Link in OoT is perfectly fine for her, especially since they'll have grown up together.

Also, WHY THE CUCCO LADY?!?! That's pretty creepy, if you ask me. A lady looses her chickens then give you a bottle (right?) when you give them back. She probably has an affair with each chicken .

If, in TP, Link was turned into a dog after he hooked up with Zelda THEN the "puppy dog" thing would be better...

Zelda: "Sit, Link!"
Person-in-royal-court: "that's a fine dog you have there, Princess!"
Zelda: "Oh, he's not really a dog. He's my boyfriend."
Person:

ROTF Yeah I know it seems I'm harsh on this Link in OOT but for me its just alternate love interest vs. being with Zelda in such a sad but comically endearing state of mind.

TP Link would definitely be subservant to Zelda. But maybe he could be cool enough to hook up with a random Hyrule town girl rather instead of the overly reserved and snooty TP Zelda.

Originally Posted by gliderpilotgirl

Word of mouth, honestly. I am aware how unreliable that can be but I'll try to come up with a source.

I’ve been searching around for it, but haven’t managed to find a mention yet. I’m very curious about whether it’s true, though.

Originally Posted by gliderpilotgirl

Agreed with both of you. That's exactly what I meant earlier by saying how much more mature MM's Link was compared to TP Link. TP Link was just some farmboy living in a backwater village when he was 17, by the time OoT/MM Link would have grown up a second time, he'd make TP Link look like a kid.

Definitely. Rather than Adult Link being a child trapped in an adult’s body, it makes more sense for Child Link to be an adult stuck in a kid’s body after he gets sent back in time.
TP Link was sheltered for a much longer time than OoT Link, and when he did get sent out on his quest, he seemed to have a teenager’s awkwardness and uncertainty more than anything else. He didn’t seem sure of exactly what he was supposed to be doing.

Originally Posted by gliderpilotgirl

That's pretty much how I see Malon, rather than as some worldly seductress.
A starry-eyed young girl with dreams of family and the like, but very much an innocent child. I very much agree that kid Zelda ( despite being a child too) is much more mature than Malon.

Agreed. If Malon were the kind of girl to go out and seduce anyone, I doubt she’d waste time hoping for a man to come to her. She’s hardly worldly; I can see her occasionally spending time in the marketplace, possibly listening to gossip and engaging in typical little girl behavior with other kids her age, but she’s still largely bound to her farm.

Originally Posted by gliderpilotgirl

One thing that I often feel is forgotten in this debate is who exactly Zelda is. She's the princess and future ruler of the whole land. Also likely one of the wisest, most intelligent and most beautiful women Link will ever get a chance to meet. Spending time with her is a privilege..not a right. Few will get the chance to see her let alone get to know her. I doubt this would be lost on Link. If he was ever given a chance at her hand, it would be a great honor that many other men would fight for.

Good point. It always confuses me when people suggest that it annoys Link to have to save Zelda; it’s an honor to serve her. I’d think he’d be proud to be able to help her, and incredibly lucky to be such good friends with her. She commands respect more than anything else, and she treats Link with respect in return; she has unwavering faith in him.

I don't think anybody is saying that Link is annoyed in saving Zelda but rather that Link can save Zelda and also possibly end up being romantically involved with someone else other than Zelda in both OOT and TP.