Malon topic, Yeah.

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.

What I often come across is the statement: " A hint for the future!" in regards to that proposal. However, in OoT, we actually get to live the future. Every other reference to the future can be then seen. Medigoron has completed his sword, Ruto addresses the marriage question and even the Sacred Meadow fulfills the " this place will be important someday" as proclaimed by Saria. Yet Link doesn't go to work on the ranch or marry Malon.
With MM I see the same thing often, but Cremia and Romani have no bearing on Link's relationship with Malon. It's not like he can start something in Termina and continue it in Hyrule, the circumstances are completely different. Malon has different quirks that make her different too. Personally, I think Romani was far more aggressive towards Link than Malon ever would be.

If I'm right, the only things that happen in regards to Link's interactions with Cremia and Romani is that Cremia hugs him and Romani offers him to live on Romani Ranch and that's it. And at the end, Link leaves Termina and goes back to Hyrule, most likely back to Zelda. Malink really doesn't have a leg to stand on, does it?

Yup. Again, it's two statements: "you could get used to this!" ( to the hug ) and " It's a great plan! So...then it's decided!" that could make one think he's actually going to stay. But Romani pretty much blurts this out with no input from him, and he's swooning in the arms of a pretty girl. I would expect nothing less from any man in that situation.

But I agree: if he went back to Hyrule, it would be a deep and emotional reunion with Zelda. She was the one to bid him farewell, and she would be the one who's been waiting for him. There's a good chance that the Happy Mask Salesman may have been talking about her in the end of the game too.
"Shouldn't you be heading home as well? Where there is a meeting, there is bound to be a parting. But a parting need not last forever...that is up to you."

No, I think the support for the Malon x Link pairing is mainly fan speculation, fan fiction and such, with a little encouragement from the developers. ( They like to keep the options open. ) Some consider TP proof...but TP Link is clearly not related to the villagers of Ordon ( which HAVE Malon's likeliest descendants in Talo and Malo ) yet most likely IS related to the Hero of Time. ( Hero's Spirit ) Colin could too be a descendant IMO, but he has nothing in common with Malon's likely line.

Hey, didn't Ruto do the same thing Romani did when she told Link she should give the Zora's Sapphire only to the man who would be her husband? And we all know how that turned out.

Hey, didn't Ruto do the same thing Romani did when she told Link she should give the Zora's Sapphire only to the man who would be her husband? And we all know how that turned out.

She pretty much made the decision for him, just the same. I've always preferred how Zelda treats him though...she lets him know she believes in him, but doesn't make any decisions for him. Love sets free and all...that's why I feel he would return to her.

I've heard that "love is free" quote, too. I've also heard that love is a like a butterfly; if you try to keep a butterfly in a jar, it dies. If you try to force love on someone, you'll lose them.

Like you said, Zelda makes sure that Link knows she believes in him, but it was all his choice to help her save Hyrule (remember that "OK/I don't believe you" choice you have during the courtyard scene?).

Kind of the same situation with Ruto. Obviously, Hylian culture doesn't take engagements or saying, "Yeah, I'd like to marry her," at age 10 seriously. Talon didn't take Link saying (player's option) "Yes," seriously, and in the end, neither did Malon! In the manga, she happily saw him off just like the Kokiri did when he had released Saria from her imprisonment and awakened her as a Sage. Malon had one brief moment where she imagined Link as her knight, and then as soon as Sheik mentions Zelda, she instantly realizes that Link's heart is eternally with Zelda.

I remember that scene in the manga. Malon got all defensive when Link became excited about news of Zelda and asked him, "Why did you say the Princess' name like that?" Then Malon said something like, "You don't have to say it. I can see it...in your eyes." After that, a narrator's bubble read, "Alas...how short was Malon's love..."

I remember that scene in the manga. Malon got all defensive when Link became excited about news of Zelda and asked him, "Why did you say the Princess' name like that?" Then Malon said something like, "You don't have to say it. I can see it...in your eyes." After that, a narrator's bubble read, "Alas...how short was Malon's love..."

I'm interested to see in the English version coming soon how this scene will play out: I hope the translation comes out the same. I've always thought the manga was bold for actually vetoing the MaLink thing so clearly. It's usually gets slapped with the non-canon label in debates, but Nintendo had input in this comic making it important.

Something interesting about this? You can compare the two different girls reactions in regard to essentially "losing Link". Malon shows some sadness at her dream not coming true, but she bounces back within minutes, proving it was more an infatuation than love. Zelda on the other hand when she has to send Link away broke my heart. Tears running down her face, you can see how resolved she is, but how heartbroken she really is. That speaks of true love.

Zelda overall seems more the type to take things seriously...I'd imagine if a relationship with Link ended that she would be utterly shattered, yet would keep it to herself because she has to. One of those "dead on the inside" types. Yet I wouldn't expect it to affect her compassion for others.
I see Malon more as the kind to indulge in some stormy tears and moping ( like Cremia in MM ) but I think she'd bounce back quickly. Malon seems more an emotive person in general, but it's because she doesn't restrain herself like Zelda does.

You can read the English translation of the OoT manga on the Internet, which is where I got the quotes from (although I don't think I managed to get the words perfectly; I was using my memory). I don't see why the manga would have different text when it comes out in stores.

Well, see, Japanese is one of those languages where there can be several interpretations to one sentence, even word. There is no language that translates DIRECTLY into another, so we will probably get a slightly different translation than what Zelda-Infinite gave us (and many other translators). My only hope is that the people who are publishing and releasing the English version will not mess with the important stuff.

And by important stuff, you mean Zelink stuff, right?

Well, see, Japanese is one of those languages where there can be several interpretations to one sentence, even word. There is no language that translates DIRECTLY into another, so we will probably get a slightly different translation than what Zelda-Infinite gave us (and many other translators). My only hope is that the people who are publishing and releasing the English version will not mess with the important stuff.

^ She said it best. I can give you two examples I've heard of where actual content has been changed in translation. One, the famous Nabooru promise in OoT. Supposedly the original Japanese is much more forward in terms of implications. But that wouldn't be tolerated here.

Two: Supposedly the Japanese intro to the WW makes it clear that when OoT Link "journeyed away from Hyrule" that he went back in time, however the English version merely states he left Hyrule. So, the implications would be huge in the split vs linear timeline debates.

This is all second hand info I've heard around the sites, but in both cases it involved someone within Nintendo changing their original content. For a manga, I would assume it would be different in terms of the translator not owning the content.

But anyways, I'd be worried some of the more important dialogue ( yes the ZeLink ) might not make it through the same.

Nabooru, more forward in the Japanese version? Is it something like what the Poe Man says to Link when you kill all ten Big Poes ("If I was as handsome as you, I could run a different kind of business!")? Ugh, that sounded wrong...

Nabooru, more forward in the Japanese version? Is it something like what the Poe Man says to Link when you kill all ten Big Poes ("If I was as handsome as you, I could run a different kind of business!")? Ugh, that sounded wrong...

From what I heard, yes. I'm pretty sure promoting pedophilia is against the law in N America, which could explain the change. The Cremia hug is also mysteriously absent in the GC collector's edition of MM, and I would venture that's maybe why. Did they get complaints?