Young Link- Hero of Time?

Ok, so it's been revealed to us that OoT has two endings, one in which the adult Link defeats Ganon and the world is saved, and one in which he is sent back in time to his youth. I'm assuming that the childhood he is sent back to is one in which Ganondorf is already sealed away, so that he can live out his childhood normally without having to go through his troubles all over again.

It has also been revealed to us that this dual-ending creates a timeline split, one that continues from Link's defeat of Ganon and one that continues from Link's Ganon-free childhood.

And, also directly given to us from the creators (sorry i don't have the quote), Wind Waker takes place after link defeated ganondorf, thus putting it in the "adult timeline." and since the creators have told us (again, i apologize for the lack of quotes) that WW and TP are in parallel timelines, this means that TP is in the "kid timeline."

Now, in Wind Waker, the OoT Link is known as the legendary Hero of Time, because he defeated Ganon and saved Hyrule. We know this because of the tradition of handing down a green tunic in honor of the Hero, and also, the intro tells us that Link saved the land, but then left it, which is when Ganon came back and Hyrule was flooded by the gods (perhaps a future zelda game?) NOTE: link's leaving of hyrule should not be confused with the events that take place in MM, as that takes place in the "kid timeline."

As for Majora's Mask, we see at the end of OoT that Navi leaves link in the Temple of Time, and we are given the clue that, at the beginning of MM, link is traveling the lost woods looking for navi when he somehow stumbles upon Termina (intro says that he was looking for a good friend that left him, or something like that, and as the text appears and we see link in the woods, we hear the sound of a fairy flying). Since Link has left Termina searching for his lost fairy, I think it's ok to assume that there indeed was no more Ganondorf to threaten Hyrule, otherwise link would not have left. Ganondorf was already sealed away.

The OoT/MM Link is also known as the legendary Hero of Time in TP, which takes place later on in the "kid timeline." We hear reference to him from the light spirits, and the TP link receives his tunic and bow, which are titled the Hero's Clothes and the Hero's Bow. We can thus logically conclude that the OoT Link is known as the Hero of time in both the "adult" and "kid timelines."

The question that remains, though, is how did the OoT link come to be known as the Hero of Time in the "kid timeline?" There was no Ganondorf for him to defeat, as he was already sealed away, and although he saved Termina from destruction, TP takes place in Hyrule, so there is no way the Hylians could know of his deeds in MM.

So what did Link do with his childhood? We don't know what happened to him after MM. Did he stay in Termina, or go back to Hyrule? And if he did return to Hyrule, did he perhaps have to do something else in that land to earn the title Hero of Time? (another possible zelda game? although a sequel to MM does seem pretty unlikely...)

Once again, how did the OoT Link come to be known as the Hero of Time in the "kid timeline?" TP proves that he was known by this name, but it does not explain how that came to be.

Maybe he was knighted?

The phrase "Hero of Time" is never said nor does not appear once in TP.

He obviously isn't very well known in the child timeline.

Whereas in TWW there are many legends about him and there was even a statue of him in the middle of Hyrule Castle. (as a child, but TWW makes it very clear they know that the Hero of Time started a kid and travelled through time) While in TP there is not one single mention or any depiction of the Hero of Time.

There are the heros clothes...which yes, are likely a grown up HoT's clothes...

There is the hero's bow, although whether that was the HoT's bow is highly up to question.

And there is the Hero's Shade...who yes, I do believe him to be the Hero of Time. Still, that doesn't mean he was well known.

And I never recall the Light Spirits saying much about any past heros...

Originally Posted by NintendoTogepi

The phrase "Hero of Time" is never said nor does not appear once in TP.

...

And I never recall the Light Spirits saying much about any past heros...

Nope, in TP they never say "Hero of Time", but they do speak of the "Hero of Legend". So it does seem like and is (unless someday disproved by some future game) OoT child Link after events in his life made him a hero once again.

Originally Posted by grudge1981

Nope, in TP they never say "Hero of Time", but they do speak of the "Hero of Legend". So it does seem like and is (unless someday disproved by some future game) OoT child Link after events in his life made him a hero once again.

Perhaps.

However, it must have been much less significant then what he did in the Adult Timeline, seeing as how only a few characters in TP mention the "Hero of Legend".

Of course, honestly I don't think what the TP Link goes was as significant as the OoT Link.

Originally Posted by grudge1981

Of course, honestly I don't think what the TP Link goes was as significant as the OoT Link.

Well, it depends.

TP Link did just as much as OoT Link (not counting MM) but he did most of it without anyone ever realising it.

So he will sadly go unnoticed

The Hero of Time, is, after all, the Bearer of the Triforce of Courage. When he returned from Termina, I think he continued to behave as a Hero should, and made a name for himself that way, helped by cushy connections with the Royal Family. The Hero of Time's story from the future (as told to Zelda from Link) is circulated- in the Arbiter's Grounds, there's a portrait of the Hero of Time fighting Ganon, but just slightly off... the Hero of Time has the Kokiri symbol on his shield (and he's the only Link to have a connection with the Kokiri) instead of the real shield the Hero of Time used in the adult portion of the game.

Originally Posted by Eralk Fang

The Hero of Time, is, after all, the Bearer of the Triforce of Courage. When he returned from Termina, I think he continued to behave as a Hero should, and made a name for himself that way, helped by cushy connections with the Royal Family. The Hero of Time's story from the future (as told to Zelda from Link) is circulated- in the Arbiter's Grounds, there's a portrait of the Hero of Time fighting Ganon, but just slightly off... the Hero of Time has the Kokiri symbol on his shield (and he's the only Link to have a connection with the Kokiri) instead of the real shield the Hero of Time used in the adult portion of the game.

I completely agree. Despite his depressed funk he seemed to be in at the outset of MM, he's still a chosen hero..and isn't it a lifetime commitment? The Hero's Spirit seems to think so. "I accepted the life of the hero"

And I do think that his second chance at childhood/life may be what the people were referring to:
"In Hyrule, countless tales are told of the ancient hero...and your deeds bring
them all to mind."
Countless would mean more than one adventure ( and another with Termina )

Originally Posted by Eralk Fang

The Hero of Time, is, after all, the Bearer of the Triforce of Courage.

Was it not said in TWW that his ToC split into pieces as he left Hyrule?

Also, I suspect that - like you said - OoT Link in the child timeline made himself known for other deeds. He didn't become the Hero of Time, but he became a hero, simply. That's all he is referred to as in TP anyway.

Heck, he could've beaten the boss of Arbiter's Grounds (the reason we see it has been slain once before) seeing as he's painted/inscribed onto the walls of the Arbiter's Grounds.

Well I think that TP and Windwaker arent even in a timeline. OoT and Majoras mask are the only sequals. I think Zeldas becoming like Final Fantasy; different storylines not related to any other games. Whats the chances of Link in both games to 1. Have the same name, 2. Live in the same place, and 3 fight someone who has died multiple times. Its like Nintendo said yeah lets have a timeline and have people think theres a connection to the other games. Theres only one Link in my opinion and thats the Link featured in OoT and majoras Mask.

When Link was sent back, he was still the exact same Link. He is still the one with the ToC, he is still the one who defeated Ganon, he is still the one that used the Master Sword to transcend time. Young Link was definitely still the Hero of Time, even if no one else knew wot he had done. Otherwise he wouldn't have been able to warn Zelda about Ganon.

Yeah of course young Link is the hero of time. He wasnt an adult when he grabbed the master sword, the master sword is just an item to travel 7 years into the future. When young link went 7 years into the future he was still young link, he still thought the same, still acted the same, the only difference was he was taller and had a new sword. Young Link defeated Ganon in an adult body.

Originally Posted by William Zelda4ever

Was it not said in TWW that his ToC split into pieces as he left Hyrule?

Also, I suspect that - like you said - OoT Link in the child timeline made himself known for other deeds. He didn't become the Hero of Time, but he became a hero, simply. That's all he is referred to as in TP anyway.

Heck, he could've beaten the boss of Arbiter's Grounds (the reason we see it has been slain once before) seeing as he's painted/inscribed onto the walls of the Arbiter's Grounds.

Yes, it does. My point is that the Hero of Time was still quite courageous and heroic even without it, because he had been selected for the job.

When the Hero of Time was called to
embark on another journey and left the
land of Hyrule, he was separated from the
elements that made him a hero.

I like the idea he may have defeated Stallord! Interesting.

Where in the Arbiters Ground are the inscriptions. Damn hahaha should of paid more attention to my surroundings instead of trying so hard to find the poes. I would like to look at them if you could give me the location, thank you

i think we can safely say ''lets leave this to the creator of zelda''

Did I miss something? the Split Timelin's been made officla? How? I thought the Water Sage being kileld put TP in Continuity with WW (SInce it owuld oviously eventualy cause the Flood) and I also figured Rusl's fmaily woudl be ancestrle to the old dude that taught you how to use your Swor din WW.