I've actually started an AIM roleplay with a couple of friends that's like that. I wanted to work out ideas for a fanfic I may or may not do. I have done a speculative game-setting with that subject - the story of my hypothetical game/possible fanfic basically has Link dying at the beginning, killed by Ganondorf. Zelda flees, and later finds out that it is her destiny to take up the Master Sword and reclaim her kingdom. And Link guides her as a ghost, Shiek-style or possibly Spirit Tracks style, but it's Zelda doing the butt-kicking.
If it were a game, Link would be playable in a "controllable helplessness" situation. You can get some licks in on Ganondorf, but then, the cutscene comes where he kills you, and you play as Zelda thereafter.