Malon topic, Yeah.

Here's another thing. You actually don't need to visit Malon in Lon Lon Ranch at all. The only times you absolutely have to see her is in the beginning at Hyrule Castle Town Market, and again at Hyrule Castle. You don't have to learn Epona's Song and you don't have to get Epona. Basically, most of the moments Link spends with Malon are optional.

It's the opposite situation with Zelda. Most, if not all, of the interactions Link has with Zelda are purely non-optional. You have to meet Zelda in the Castle Courtyard, you have to go back to her after getting the three Spiritual Stones, there's no way around all the interactions with Sheik, you have to meet up with Zelda in the Temple of Time after collecting the six Medallions, and you have to save her at Ganon's Castle. Even Zelda's questions during the meeting scene are kind of non-optional. Sure, you can choose to answer negatively, but it doesn't get you anywhere.

If Malink was supposed to be the pairing of the game, then Nintendo has a funny way of showing it. I've never heard of a game in which talking to the love interest was optional.

So true, so true. BTW, I like your phraseology! And I don't understand how people can shout, "Malink, Malink, Malink!" when the manga CLEARLY points in the opposite direction as far as Zelink goes! I mean, really. Let's cut the "I like red heads" fanboyism and just take reality as is.

So true, so true. BTW, I like your phraseology! And I don't understand how people can shout, "Malink, Malink, Malink!" when the manga CLEARLY points in the opposite direction as far as Zelink goes! I mean, really. Let's cut the "I like red heads" fanboyism and just take reality as is.

I think people confuse "a pairing option" which I can definately see Malon being as being "THE" option. If she was meant to be Link's main lady, she would have gotten the focus that role deserves and the emotion it brings. They've never been shy to give this out to another woman in other games: Marin in LA and Ilia/Midna in TP. I frankly see Malon as merely a reference for the Marin fans.

In terms of the fanboyism ( while I still believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion ) I do grow tired of the shallow reasoning I often encounter when dealing with Malon. She likes horses, has red hair, likes to sing, none of these really strike me as a reason for Link to fall madly in love with her. Her being kind and generous seem a better reason, IMO. But everything he may love about Malon he'd find in Zelda, and more so. She's also generous, kind to a fault, and utterly selfless. And I think she truly and deeply loved him where with Malon, Link was just "the knight in shining armor", possibly loved for his role rather than his person. At least I can't fault Ilia or Saria for not loving him for him.

I agree with this statement. I think if Malon truly loved anything, it was her fantasies of a knight. And let's face it, Malon could get that from any guy, not just Link. Malon simply likes what Link represents, not really Link as a person.

She can't truly support him emotionally either. If she were to attempt to do that, then she would burn out quickly - he is far too deep and has suffered much more than she has. In her desire for a "knight in shining armor," she probably didn't take into account the work it takes to emotionally support a knight who has seen every manner of horror possible.

I agree with this statement. I think if Malon truly loved anything, it was her fantasies of a knight. And let's face it, Malon could get that from any guy, not just Link. Malon simply likes what Link represents, not really Link as a person.

There's the thing..she's not remotely specific. When pairing Link with Malon on these grounds, it seems more "what's good for Malon" than "what's good for Link". Link may fit her needs, but I doubt she would fulfill his. I agree with Love of Zelda: Malon is far too naive and sheltered to handle what Link would throw at her. She's nice and kind like Zelda, but lacks the wisdom Zelda has, what Link needs.
In terms of her wish, I think it was the idealism of a child speaking rather than any experience.

Whenever I think of "a knight in shining armour will appear to sweep you off your feet", I tend to think of women who are not able to function without anyone there to depend on. Malon does not seem to be an independant individual and likely feels that she has to have a man to protect her and make all of the hastey decisions. It reminds me of the old-fashioned patriarchal society, where the man is the head of the family. Well, really, to get the most out of a relationship, two people have to share, and by that it means that both have to look out for each other. Zelda does just that, because she does not need to solely rely on Link alone for protection.

For seven odd years, Zelda disguises herself as Sheik which allows her to aquire specific skills required to protect herself. She has been able to stay out of Ganondorf's reach, long enough for Link to awaken and return Hyrule to its proper state. This displays Zelda's unique ability to defend herself whenever the need arrises (the only reason why she was captured towards the end of the game is because she lets her guard down when confronting Link). However, the time does come when she lacks the ability to take control of the situation, and Link is there to help her out. The same goes for Link. Throughout the game, during his childhood and during his adulthood, Zelda bestows her wisdom on Link in which he uses to draw upon the strength and courage needed to overcome the task at hand. She also helps to seal Ganondorf away with her powers. It may seem insignificant, because Link is given the title of "hero of time", but without Zelda, the final task would remain incomplete (really she should be viewed as a hero as well, but I guess that's just me. I don't think that guys should get all the glory...). Anyway, I suppose what I'm trying to say is that the two fit perfectly together and make one hell of a good team, and that's what a relationship is all about; team work. Both fulfill each other.

And the funny thing about that is that I've heard the same thing said about Zelda, that she's sheltered. Zelda may be sheltered to an extent, being the Princess and all, but she's been through just as much as Link has, if not more.

I agree with you there: the games make it pretty clear how dependant she is on men to step in. In MM, the "Malon type" is running the ranch, but she's essentially failing. She will fail unless Link steps in: her desire is for a partner to lighten her load.

I guess what it comes down to is dependancy vs independant: and it's really an attitude that the two have. Malon doesn't see herself as able to change her circumstances whereas Zelda believes she can. Malon's attitude classes her as a "victim" and she believes she needs someone to bail her out, she won't try herself.

I've never been able to understand the antagonism I often see towards her in spite of all this ^. She's a hero, just like Link, yet gets called essentially stupid for getting captured. But doesn't it matter that she tries? She's brave, smart, selfless and possesses incredible inner strength. When I picture the ideal woman for Link, I see this internal beauty as what would make him desire her.

In accordance with gliderpilotgirl's point, I'd like to ask this: "Zelda was captured, but only at the end. Why was Link not captured? What prevented him from not being in the same situation as she?" The answer to those questions is Sheik/Zelda. She kept Ganondorf away from Link the entire time.

Referring to the manga, we see that Ganondorf believes Sheik to be on his side. It is Sheik's/Zelda's ability to play the part of two-sider and making Ganondorf concentrate on finding Princess Zelda that distracts Ganondorf from actually catching up to Link and dispatching him. Ganondorf assumes that where Princess Zelda is, Link will be there also - so naturally, Ganondorf goes in after Princess Zelda first. Sheik manages to keep Ganondorf guessing for seven years!!!! That's a very long time!

Not only does Sheik/Zelda play secret helper to Link and false friend to Ganondorf, but he/she also manages to help Link as much as possible in his quest - he/she gives Link keys to open temples, gives him tips, and watches Link's back. I mean, really? Zelda's getting captured at the end is pretty minor in the face of all she did for Link.

Besides, Zelda only gets captured towards the end of OoT, and in almost every Zelda game, Zelda needing to be rescued by Link is a key part in beating the game.

But like you said, Zelda is far from being a damsel in distress, particularly in OoT. She devised a plan to save Hyrule, she made sure Link had everything he needed in order to complete his tasks, looked out for his safety, and hid in plain sight from Ganondorf for seven years. She even does her part towards the end of the game, unlocking the castle's gates, pinning Ganon down and strengthening the Master Sword so Link can deliver the final blow, and summoning the Six Sages to seal Ganondorf into the Sacred Realm.

All this shows is that Zelda is intelligent, resourceful, and powerful.

Besides, Zelda only gets captured towards the end of OoT, and in almost every Zelda game, Zelda needing to be rescued by Link is a key part in beating the game.

But like you said, Zelda is far from being a damsel in distress, particularly in OoT. She devised a plan to save Hyrule, she made sure Link had everything he needed in order to complete his tasks, looked out for his safety, and hid in plain sight from Ganondorf for seven years. She even does her part towards the end of the game, unlocking the castle's gates, pinning Ganon down and strengthening the Master Sword so Link can deliver the final blow, and summoning the Six Sages to seal Ganondorf into the Sacred Realm.

All this shows is that Zelda is intelligent, resourceful, and powerful.

Yup, so smart in fact that I would think had Link not unintentionally drawn her out, Ganondorf would never have caught her. I think that the feelings Link had for Zelda also played right into Ganondorf's hands...what better way to goad Link into challenging him than take Zelda right in front of him? Yes he's a hero, but it seemed more than that: he was right there as soon as it became apparent something was happening to her.

Anyways, I can't take Malon seriously as a love interest if only because it seemed the game didn't. The famous marriage proposal was a mere joke, and the relationship between Malon and her father was comedic. Same goes with anything that could be considered proof in MM: Link getting his face mashed into Cremia's chest is considered by many to be funny, as is his response. In contrast, the relationship with Saria and later Zelda has an air of seriousness about it...none moreso than with his parting scene in MM. Overall, I consider that more important than any light-heartedness with some random farm girl..it's got to go deeper in my strong opinion to mean anything.

Yeah, and remember how Link reacts when Zelda gets trapped inside that crystal? He puts his hands on it and is looking inside at her. Then, when Ganondorf taunts him, Link pounds on the crystal, as though determined to free Zelda.

I agree with Talon asking Link if he wants to marry Malon is indeed a joke (you can answer either no or yes, and the response is the same). But on the other hand, if you win the Super Cucco Findin' Game again, Talon says that he hopes Link will one day come back to work on the ranch. Is Talon trying to marry Malon off or something?

It probably didn't help that Ganondorf did something to her to make her stop trying to escape ( which is why she cried out and went limp ) That was likely what made Link even more furious. It's bad enough to take a guy's woman, but to hurt her in front of him?

I think it was a "half serious joke" on his part. Serious in that he wants to hand his difficult daughter off to some man and also thereby score a faithful worker, but joking in that Link is 10 years old. Either way, it puts Talon/Malon in no different a position as Ruto or Saria...they all want Link. But Ruto and Saria are eliminated, and Malon is never followed up on. Link gets no more invitations to come work there as an adult: he saves the ranch and Talon professes he is a changed man. ( And so is Ingo ) In that I can see a big part of Talon's motivation ( laziness ) has been cured. In terms of romance, it's never followed up on. Any visits to Malon consist of thanks for his action and offers to help train his horse. I think the ending seals the possibility in being so pro-ZeLink.

That does make some sense. Talon probably genuinely wanted to marry Malon off, but was kidding about Link marrying her right away (he did say, "I think you're a little young for that, aren't you?"). And you're right about there being no follow-up on the marriage proposal any time Link visits Lon Lon Ranch as an adult. Malon thanks Link for his help and offers to help him train Epona, and Talon vows to work harder on the ranch; the marriage proposal is never again brought up.