This question just popped into my mind :

Is Zelda in love with Link?

I just don’t know why this question came. :(
Help me!!!

I want to talk about Zelda.
So give me some good arguments, that she is in love!

(I hope that you guys are not mad at me, I am a ZELINKER!!!)

But there is just this little voice that anoyes me!

So please reply!

Because he saves her country, rescued her, and is damm cute :P

That's about all the reasoning a princess needs - he's her knight in shining armour :D

You got that right, LZ Angel! :D Link saves Hyrule on a regular basis, he goes out of his way to save Zelda (sounds like Mario/Peach, doesn't it?), and he's very attractive externally, as well as internally. What more could a girl like Zelda want in a guy?

I believe Zelda is SO in love with Link. X3

The first thing that comes to mind is the evidence in OoT.

Let's take a look at the first scene: Her love for him first developed with the sudden trust that she had for him. She revealed information to Link that she had kept to herself up to that point. I don't think the love was blooming at this point, but it sure had to start somewhere.

Now let's go a little further to when Zelda was Sheik: You can find that Sheik's dialogue before "he" teaches a song to Link has some sort of connection to love and relationships--especially before the Bolero of Fire. I can't quote it exactly, but "he" says something about a friendship blooming into something more as time passes... Hmmm.... =3

When Zelda reveals herself to Link: At this point she obviously knows all the termoil that selfless Link put himself through to save Hyrule. She obviously feels regret, which means that she has major concern for his safety. Also when Link escapes with her from the tower whenever Link gets hurt, she gasps. If she wasn't in love with him, don't you think that she'd just wait without gasping? I mean--she KNOWS that he's the chosen hero, and in the end he'd be okay from just one giant boulder, but she still gasps. She also screams when Ganon hits Link.

Finally when they're in the clouds: When Link places the Ocarina in her hand, she sets her other hand over his. When I saw the look in her eyes, I got the impression that she wanted something more than them just being "Hero and Princess". Then when they meet together as kids again, there is obviously a different mood in the scene. Their relationship is notably stronger.

So yes, I do believe that Zelda is in love with Link. ^_^

Now, I'm sure that there is evidence in the other games... I just need to think about it some more. (Ocarina of Time is the most obvious) *runs off to do an analisis*

Which supports my theory that Link and Zelda (and the Six Sages because, well, they're sages) remember what happened during the alternate timeline.

If Link didn't remember, why go see Zelda? For that matter, if Link didn't remember, don't you think he'd be wondering what he was doing in a huge temple?

And I think Zelda remembers the other timeline, because while she is startled to find Link standing before her in the courtyard, she wasn't necessarily surprised.

I agree that Ocarina of Time is the most obvious when dealing with Zelink. Whenever I'm writing an essay on the feelings between Link and Zelda, I always write about OoT!Link and OoT!Zelda.

Why? Depends on the game I suppose, but they have much in common.

Well, he's her hero for one. He boldly takes on the most vicious enemies and scariest places to rescue her and more than that? What's most important to her, her country.

Another? In most cases, I don't think Zelda has much of a relationship with her father..her father being too busy ruling the country to maybe take the time to spend with her. MC is an exception. But even when he does have time...he doesn't believe her or listen. ( ALTTP, OoT )
When Link comes along, he displays absolute faith in her, enough to risk his life for her..that's got to be endearing to a girl.

A third: Her position as Princess would keep her isolated from the other kids...she's "above" them whether she likes it or not, and will always recieve admiration because she's the Princess..not necessarily as a person. She's just an ordinary girl underneath...and I feel she'd be quick to bond to Link because he's also in the same position: he's a chosen hero, admired for his deeds, not necessarily as a person. They are both bound by titles. He trusts her, and inspires confidence, she can be herself.

Related to this: Zelda is a tomboy, and we can infer she craves adventure..but is trapped behind palace walls. Link represents freedom to her...I can easily imagine him telling her all about his adventures, while she listens totally entranced.

Agreed. And the power of that scene in MM ( and the end of OoT ) was equivalent to an emotional baseball bat..it had quite the punch. I have a hard time reading the wording in that MM scene without getting nailed by the romantic implications.

Are you referring to the bit of text above the music staff where Link's learning the Song of Time? "This song reminds me of us..."

Yeah, I can't help but assume a romantic relationship there, either. XD

Yes, I think that's only the most obvious. A couple having their own song: that's dead obvious...and on a side note, the Song of Time is so beautiful!! just like their relationship. Everytime he played it, he'd think of her..so he'd constantly throughout MM be reminded of her.

I was also referring to the language used:

" I feel like I have known you forever...I shall never forget the days we spent together in Hyrule...and I believe in my heart that a day will come when I shall meet you again.."

That's totally romantic language: how many couples have you heard say: " I feel like I have known you forever"? Reading between the lines...I feel Zelda may as well have said: " I love you and will miss you, but I believe in you" to him.

Well, I don't think at that age the feelings towards one another are love; it is only infatuation which, when they're older, can turn into deep afection (*cough* Zelda as Sheik pretty much said the same thing after Link recieves the iron boots in Ocarina of Time *cough*). Oh, and I don't think they remember exactly what happened during the alternate timeline... It was kind of like a deja vu feeling. Link was sent too far back in time so that he could relive his childhood, before he made an alliance with Navi, even (which is most likely why she left). There is, however, a strong connection between Link and Zelda, implying that if they could do it all over from the beginning in a different manner (being without Ganon) the results would be the same (Link and Zelda develop strong feelings for one another). That's how I see it, anyway. :zelink:

Hmm...I totally agree with you in that ten year olds don't feel love in the adult sense, but I believe they can feel love...just don't understand it yet: it's not developed. I think that is what Link and Zelda have going on.."Young love turns to deep affection" ( That's the quote you are referring too ) There's more than friendship here.

I would never call Link and/or Zelda's feelings for each other infatuation: that word to me implies shallowness...a surface desire for something you don't know enough to truly want. A prime example of infatuation, IMO is Link's response to Cremia's hug. It comes as a rush, a pink "warm and fuzzy feeling", but is only a moment. Life goes on as if it never happened.
Even as kids...you know Link will never forget Zelda, nor her, him. That's deeper than infatuation. That's timeless, and why I agree it would happen all over again when they grew up.

I know why. It is just that the brain of Zelda has found someone it wants to reproduce with. Thats all.

^ I'm afraid I have to object to that..or at least start a debate!

That makes it sound like all that is between Link and Zelda is physical..or the result of physical attraction/lust. Of all the pairings, I would call these two the least likely to ever fit in this mold.

I didn't mean that they didn't have strong feelings for one another... I used infatuation because it's more like puppy love. That's all I meant by that. And as to the physical remark... I definately don't agree with that. I think it's mainly because they connected with one another, being that they had a lot in common; they shared the same burdens on their shoulders concerning the Ganon and the triforce. And, even though they might not really remember what happened during the alternate timeline, they still connect with one another.

Okay...so love first starting out. I do think it's more, but I believe it's a left-over from his adult time.

Before I say anything else, I'll state that I do believe Link was mentally mature as an adult in OoT and this is why. If you watch his reactions and the text offered to the player, it's very obvious by the language that Link is being treated as an adult. Take Saria: the phrase "Saria will always be...your friend" has an alternate connotation that only an adult would understand, and I'm confident the game meant this. With Ruto, she states that she is offering her eternal love, to an instant shocked response from Link. I would take this as an implication that Link does indeed understand what this entails, something the game made sure to tell he didn't as a kid. So, IMO, Link was an adult in his head.

So, as a child again, it's very possible that he may have retained memories of these strong feelings for Zelda and could be reacting on them, although not understanding them. The OoT book even says this is the case: that he did still have his memories of his love for Zelda.

With Zelda, she never experienced the future, so she's still rooted in puppy love, but as her maturity level for a girl of her age is advanced ( IMO ) she may also feel more. Plus the connection for the reasons you stated.

I still believe as much as she is capable, she truly loves him, and while he may be confused and frustrated at his child-like state ( maybe part of the reason for his departure to Termina ) Link still loves her too. Maybe he's just suffering from "leaving his heart behind" as an adult, and while time will remedy that, for the mean time, it sucks to be him.
( I think that the Song of Time being his and Zelda's song is particularily poignant in this. )

*phew* so that's OoT/MM Link , a special case.

I heartily agree that the rest are full puppy love as most Link's are just kids...but the adult ones ( AoL and TP ) I think it's in part the connection of the adventure/destiny.

It's not that I don't think they have strong feelings for one another, because I do, but it's more defined as they're older; they're more aware of their emotional state and the connections that they have between them. I just think that its more a puppy love, which is the term usually associated with kids as they are only beginning to understand what love is all about. That's what Zelda as Sheik meant when she said that young love turns into deep affection. It means that as time goes on they will fall in love, a love that connects them in body mind and spirit. At this stage in his life Link is not mature enough to understand the complexity of love.

Me, I like the idea of puppy love between Link and Zelda, simply because it starts out at an early age which allows for the bond to strengthen as the years pass. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it starts out innocent (puppy love) when they're kids and gets more serious when they're older (deep affection). Anyway, either way, we know that they have feelings for one another, which is what counts.

I totally agree.

One thing that has always bothered me about spending time in various romance threads and such is how many people believe that even though Link and Zelda showed every indication of "young love turns to deep affection" actually happening in OoT...that it wouldn't happen again. Why wouldn't it? I know things are different...but don't Link and Zelda have a "head start" already? I thought OoT was a peek into their future.

Zelda and Link are definately the perfect match in every game, including TP. In OoT it's so obvious that it starts out as puppy love and turns into something much deeper as they're older. Such scenes as when Link is worried about princess Zelda (Ruto tells him that she can tell that he's worried about her) and Zelda as Sheik lingers for longer periods of time each time they meet, reluctant to leave when she's waited for him for so long. There are other scenes that are just as relevant, but it would take to long to write. lol

Anyway, they have already showed that they could do all again; Link returns at the end of the game, and in the beginning of MM Zelda tells him that she has a feeling that he will return, and since her prophies come true... Well I think that Link did return to Hyrule and that because he didn't have the triforce of courage he was unable to draw the master sword, thus the "hero" never rose when the people of Hyrule prayed for his return (WW). Besides... How else would they sculpt the statue of him as an adult if he left as a kid? *hint hint* :D Besides... There have been many times when the so called legends have not been accurate, therefore his return probably was not recorded.

What I mean, is that love is an illusion. The brain just finds someone that it thanks will give good off spring before you die. "The only reason that man-kind is is to reproduce." I heard someone say that once. If that is true then love truly is an illusion and therefore Link and Zelda aren't in love because love doesn't igsist.

I'm sorry if this is OT, but I'm just a little curious. Hylian Sword Master, why do you insist on defeating your ship?

Life isn't based around reproduction alone. We live so that we can enjoy life's many pleasures while connecting with others in a spiritual manner. Here's a couple of quotes about love.

Felix Adler:
Love is the expansion of two natures in such fashion that each include the other, each is enriched by the other.

Mohandas K. Gandhi:
Where there is love there is life.

Robert Heinlein:
Love is a condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

Roger de Bussy-Rabutin:
Absence is to love as wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small and kindles the great.

Roy Croft:
I love you
Not only for what you are
But for what I am
When I am with you

Love (first stanza)

Victor Hugo:
Life is the flower for which love is the honey.


Washington Irving:
Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.

Someone did their research...

*nods*

I agree. (I reply before reading posts)

Oh...that's what people are arguing about.

Love vs Sex. Hmm...interesting...

We could have something in the Sacred Meadow about this.

Isn't love just another cognitive function? can't all human beings be reduced to a bunch of brain cells and electromagnetic pulses? Hehehehe...

Okay you convinced me there is love. Now I shall prove that Link loves Zelda. If you look at the quote by Robert Heinlein. WE know the from examples from the past, when Zelda is sad, usually Link is working hard to cheer her up. When Zelda is happy, you see Link enjoying Life.

"Love is in the air..."

Yup! ^^ And it goes two ways. It'a all about loving the other unconditionally, which is what Link and Zelda portray in the games (they have strong feelings for one another, no matter what is thrown at them). :zelink:

So true. I mean, it isn't unique to Zelda though, Link tries to cheer everyone up. ( in alternate love interests we have him cheering up Malon, Cremia, Romani, Ilia )
But with the others, it seems that the game always sees fit to reward the player in some fashion for helping these people, ( in the above case: Epona, Romani's Mask/hug, milk/bottle, Horse Call ) when with dealing with Zelda, she IS the reward. I can't help but think of that scene in the sky where the sun is shining, blue sky as far as the eye can see..and Zelda looks at Link with shining eyes and thanks him for all he's done.
And in the same token, when Zelda is sad ( beginning of MM, he's leaving ) he looks depressed too. I doubt it was solely because of her...but I agree his feelings are influenced by hers. That to me seems the mark of a man with love in his heart.

Maybe that's another reason why Zelda loves him: the unconditional part. In OoT, she had guilt written all over her and sends him back because of her desire to make things right. Even though all this has happened, and he's a child once more which he may not like...he marches straight back to her undeterred. He had reason to be angry at her, or could easily make her the focus of his anger at life...but that doesn't seem to matter. Unconditional love right there.
In WW, how else do you explain his later tolerance for Tetra's horrible behavior? Love, or at least puppy love covering the matter.

I agree with Link trying to cheer er up all the time, and when he does, he feels a whole lot better. and yes, she is the reward.

You know, it seems to me that they made the zelink relationship very obvious and stronger in the older games. But, in TP, it's much more vague between the two, unlike Illia and Midna, in which he spent much more time on-screen. It makes me sad to see them further apart in a more current game when all zelink fans have high hopes for something big. I, being an enormous zelink fan, am really upset.

And about whether Zelda loves or should love Link: (sorry, I'm sorta jumping topics here)

Zelda loves Link because he is always saving her Kingdom, and knowing that he does it out of the goodness of his heart, and not just for her, shows that her lover cares for what she holds most dear to her, and not just what he holds dear to him. And mens that they have many simmilarities which make them perfect. In all, he's her... I dunno, her knight in a green tunic or something (since he doesn't always wear armor)!

Zelda loves Link because he is the total package. A very skilled warrior with the best hand to hand combat, horsemanship, and archery skills than all the mediocre Hyrule Knights combined. On top of that, he has a kind and gentle personality and he is very obedient that ensures that he will always do what he is told and never question her authority. Yeah..if I was Zelda, I would definitely love Link for sure.