Daily Debate: Who is Link’s One True Happily Ever After?
Posted on July 08 2022 by Mike Soldano
The answer may not be as simple as you think. Sure, our minds immediately go to Princess Zelda. She is after all the title character of the franchise. But if you were to examine her relationship with Link under the lens of truth, you’d find that they very seldom are seen together in romantic fashion. In fact, they’re interactions in most games are limited. So, why is it that when I think of Link’s love interest, my mind goes immediately to Zelda? She is the driving force, the reason why Link gets out of bed at the start of most games. Also, there’s that fairy tale theme that gets stuck in our heads. The hero saves the princess, they fall in love and live happily ever after. But what happens when you leave fantasy behind, do our characters have a chance to last until that happily ever after?
Sure, in the heat of the battle, the thrill is in the air, and sparks may fly between Link and Zelda. But once Ganon is sealed away, and they’re loosened from the tangled web of destiny, will their love last? In some incarnations of the characters, like Skyward Sword, most definitely yes. There is a strong connection that is built up throughout the game that foreshadows a lasting love between the two.
In other continuities, perhaps not so much. In Breath of the Wild, there’s a stronger connection between Link and Mipha. Zelda doesn’t even like Link until much later in the game. And in Twilight Princess, Link and Zelda’s relationship seems more business professional. Sure, love could bloom from that, but nothing in the story leads us to believe it to be a possibility. A romantic relationship between Zelda and Link is dependent on chance and circumstance. While a happily ever after could come from their connection, it is far from guaranteed.
I think a better fit for a guy like Link, who is rustic and has deep connections to nature and the outdoors, would be Malon. She is a loving girl with a song in her heart. She’s great with animals and has strong family bonds. I can’t imagine a happier or more picturesque place for Link to settle down than the Lon Lon Ranch that appears in Ocarina of Time. Its wide open fields are perfect for Epona to roam. Talon would become a surrogate father for the boy who grew up without parents. Out in the fields, Marin would sing her songs while Link plays along on his ocarina. They marry, raise some kids and live happily ever after.
Who do you think is Link’s one true love? Please let us know in the comments below.
Mage of the cosmos, guide and traveler through realms fantastic. A world builder who loves to see how much depth and life I can bring to each of my creations. Writing is a passion that needs to be shared with others. Having a community is vital, for a bard’s tale cannot thrive without the attention of the audience.
