Malon topic, Yeah.

She was young, had a name, had a personality, and was a mild part of the storyline (it's thanks to her that we could wake Talon up and get him to move out of the way to the Princess).

Actually, though, she's not the one who gives us Epona. It just occurred to me. Ingo is. Now, one might argue that Romani from Majora's Mask, who is basically Malon's double, gave Link Epona, but if they don't bear the same name, they're not the same person.

Malon is like the realist's opinion of Link's girl.

Zelda is like the dreamer's opinion of Link's girl.

Therefore, since Link, as according to CGM, is smexyness taking form, it can only be fair he gets a dream girl.

Can't argue with that logic!

Crazyfreak! You should mention this quote!!

For example, MaLink is meant for those realistic people. ZeLink is how Miyamoto wanted it. Pure fantasy. That's why I love your signature. You should make a theme of that. Who care about reality? Does an sword wielding elf sound realistic to you?

Don't get me wrong though, I love Malon. The reason I like her so much is because of Marin. If Marin was never created (by Miyamoto looking like Zelda), Malon wouldn't be around. She's only a cameo appearance, that's all.

Score one!

Personally, Malon isn't one of my favorite characters.

The whole Zelda-Link-Malon love triangle debate is probably because Zelda and Malon are the only girls in Ocarina of Time who can logically be paired with Link. Salink (Link/Saria) and Rulink (Link/Ruto) have the whole "different races" problem.

Also, no offense, but Malinkers don't really have hard evidence, and can easily be countered. An example is when Link wins the Cucco-Findin' Game with Talon for the first time. Talon asks Link if he wants to marry Malon. Whether Link says no or yes, the outcome is the same--Talon laughs and says he was just kidding. Some Malinkers will take that as a Malink hint, but I think it really was a joke on Talon's part, and is not meant to be taken seriously.

To be honest, crazyfreak... I think you've hit it right on the mark. XD

And it's true that MaLinkers don't have hard evidence. The only thing they have is the whole "knight" thing, but one, that was mentioned in the gossip stones so it's just more of a "OOOHHH DAAARRRK SEEECRET..." and two, the ZeLink is SO strong in Ocarina of Time it just plain blots out MaLink. (I mean... Link was pretty much looking for her once he turned into an adult... and the last scene? That made me want to cry it was so beautiful. ;_; ) If Myamoto wanted to hint at some sort of relationship between Malon and Link, he would have put in some sort of dialogue regarding their connection... but I can't remember any, so I'm assuming that there's A ZERO. ZILCH. NADA.

I'm not saying Malon's bad-- I kind of like her, actually... just not with Link XD

About the "Malon wants a knight" thing....

Well, let's assume that Malon loves Link (or thinks she does). We know that Malon wants a knight in shining armor to come and sweep her off her feet someday. We also know that Link isn't a knight in shining armor, he's a hero in green clothes.

If Malon's in love with anything, it's her fantasies of a knight. Malon crushes hard on Link because she sees a fragment of her dream knight in him.

In short, Malink wouldn't happen in canon because Link isn't a knight, and Malon doesn't love the real Link.

I agree with that whole-heartedly.

I adore Malon's character (I love a whole lot of side-characters, what can I say?). She allows me to see the ordinary side of Hyrule that I can't see through the big-three's perspectives. Through her perdicament as a normal girl, I can understand and relate to how the normal people are affected between the battle of good and evil that takes place ONLY in their backyard...

As to who goes with Link? Well, I think that quote explains what people will choose.

Actually, I'd say that Zelda is the "sensible" choice for Link. I mean, she's always been there with Link, and Zelink is one of those classic, hero/princess couples.

Malon has only been in three games, has a minor role, and there are many people who ship Malink. I'd say that Malon would be the "idealistic" choice for Link. Basically:

Zelda = Pragmatism
Malon = Idealism

Just offerin' another POV.

I think you hit the nail on the head.

It's a surface, and therefore shallow attraction.

If I was worried about Malon x Link hints..I'd go to Cremia and Romani in Termina.

Romani definately liked him: and calling him "little hero" and such...that's got to be flattering to a guy who's lost his heroic future by being sent back. Link doesn't seem like the kind of guy who needs accolades to power his ego though.

The camera also did a "close shot" when she taught him Epona's Song. That can imply "closeness" and that IS the moment when Link is reminded possibly of Malon through the song. But "memories of Zelda" carries a higher romantic implication than "bound by trust" does. Look at Kafei and Anju, and Kafei's "token of love" is called the Pendant of Memories.

Romani's other statement: " I know, why don't you just come live on the ranch! I'll lend you Romani's bed. Sister will be happy too. It's a great plan! So...then it's decided."

That could be taken to mean Link agreed...but she's the type to assume things..like when she announced she was going to town, to get a "No, you are not!" from her sister. She's also clueless about the Moon, as she demonstrates later.
Link leaves Termina at the end without a backward glance, so I think it's safe to say he didn't agree. Why would he return to Hyrule only to go to Malon if he liked Romani? They are not exact same, and neither are their circumstances.

Cremia's hug was a bit suspicious...but did Link like the hug or her? "warm and fuzzy" can mean happiness about someone you like/love...but it's ambiguous and a one-time thing. At the very most it could mean Link has a tiny bit of infatuation for Cremia, as she's very pretty. ( And recognized him as an adult, which again is an affirmation he may be wanting to hear ) But then again...I saw a definate parallel between Kafei and Anju to Link and Zelda...and we know how Kafei feels about Cremia. ( or doesn't would be a better term)

*phew* those are what I would consider the "trouble spots" for us Zelinker's....and I'd bet they were put there for the Malinkers. But if nothing else, it balances out that killer scene from the beginning with Zelda. I don't think I have ever seen Link lose it like that in the face of battle before ( he was totally lost in her memory and Tatl had to snap him out of it )...and he did go home to Hyrule at the end.

Zelink is just canon. I haven't played MM, but nothing can ever beat our many games' worth of Zelink hints etc. Malon, Ruto, Nabooru, Saria, Midna....none of them have the history of Zelink.

Yes Malon is a nice character and all and there is definitely a friendship between her and him, but I don't see much romantic stuff there. And even if it is there, its overshadowed by the obvious zelink.

Another (and fairly major) point against Malink shippers is the OoT game itself. Link's motivation for pretty much the entire is getting to Zelda, first in the Child saga when he is directed to do so by the Great Deku Tree, and then again when he is an Adult. Everything he did in that game, including helping Malon, was in order to get to Zelda.

Agreed. That unwavering devotion to her is why I love ZeLink so much in the first place, it just doesn't make sense that the boy who fought through time and such ( and returned to Zelda at the end when he was free to go ) would simply abandon her because some other girl wants him. If he liked Malon more..it would have showed up in OoT.
And that scene in MM:

" You are already leaving this land of Hyrule aren't you"
*turns around looking sad*
"Although it's only been a short time, I feel like I have known you forever.
I will 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 really powerful. And ten times the emotional impact that any scene with Cremia or Romani had. I just can't see Link forgetting Zelda in the face of that.

LA Link may have fallen for Marin, but she had a real connection with him ( like ZeLink in OoT ) and she reminded him OF Zelda.

I haven't played Link's Awakening (at least, not a whole lot), but from what I can gather, Link met up with Marin when she saved him and he immediately thought that Marin was Zelda. And also, the majority of Link's Awakening turned out to be a dream Link was having, and since Link first assumed that Marin was Zelda, it's safe to conclude that Marin is simply a dream version of Zelda.

I haven't played Link's Awakening (at least, not a whole lot), but from what I can gather, Link met up with Marin when she saved him and he immediately thought that Marin was Zelda. And also, the majority of Link's Awakening turned out to be a dream Link was having, and since Link first assumed that Marin was Zelda, it's safe to conclude that Marin is simply a dream version of Zelda.

Agreed.
But the fans of Malon like to point out that because Link fell in love with Marin..he should therefore fall for Malon who was clearly inspired from her.
We use the same logic on ZeLink...that she is in so many games as a love interest that Link should love her...but unlike the Malon/Link ship...we actually have proof.

Another thing that should be addressed: Link is a ranch hand in TP, which seems to follow a hundred/s of years later. Talon and Romani both tried to get Link to come work on the ranch, so many take it as proof of post-MM Link's fate. ( he married Malon, had kids, and that's why TP Link is a ranch hand/cowboy in their mind)

That doesn't work IMO though, for several reasons:

1) The Hero's journey: The new hero starts out in a non-descript place...a nobody, and arises to become Hyrule's Savior...but he can't fit in with his old life at the end...I felt TP made this painfully clear as he rode away. Whether Ilia got left behind or not, I don't think he'd ever live there again. His growth does not lead him backwards.

2) The Hero's Spirit..if anyone is likely to BE the previous Link, it's him. He's a leftie and identifies himself as being of the same bloodline as TP Link. But he makes it painfully clear he "accepted the life of the hero", and is usually watching over Hyrule, and the castle specifically. He doesn't strike me as the type to settle down and hide on a farm..which is what Talon and Romani/Cremia wanted of Link. His partnership for Malon/themselves.

3) Malon's possible descendants ( Malo and Talo ) are in Ordon...but they look nothing like Link at all. If you compare their art to OoT's Malon you can see the resemblance, and their mother even looks like an older, overweight version of what Malon could become. But anyways...if OoT/MM Link was their n-th great-grandfather...TP Link should not look so different than them. He's the only Hylian in Ordon..suggesting he came from Castletown direction ( or his dead parents did ) and that he does not share close blood with anyone in Ordon. If OoT/MM Link married Zelda, his descendants would be in Castletown ( where they are more likely to intermarry with Hylians )..and over time would work their way down to commoner status from nobility and before that royalty.

4) Link's skillz: He's good with animals, which also leads some to believe he is descended from farmers. But a central theme to TP is Link having "the spirit of the beast" which allows him to communicate with animals and such...they recognize the beast within. That could easily explain why he's so good with them.

*phew again*
I've come across this stuff more at ZU when arguing, but it's interesting to discuss.