Malon topic, Yeah.

I agree, and that could also be the reason why Link never really has any dialogue; Miyamoto wants to give the player the sense that they are Link.

Precisely. And also because everyone has a different perception of how Link should react and behave. I think that he is a quiet, caring individual but is at the same time humerous and a little mischevious/daring (which is perhaps the reason why he was chosen to carry the triforce of courage, lol).

Not just that. He (Miyamoto) wants to let us know that Link is honestly just a normal guy who likes to eat, sleep, and kick balls around (just kidding on that last part. ) What makes him stand away from the crowd is his willingness to throw his life on the line for Zelda, Hyrule and justice. He is also willing to go through the crap that is thrown at soldiers, no matter what era they fight in. Link is understands that after his fight is over, then he will have to deal with what often comes after a soldier's fight is done: dealing the the constant running of adrenaline. He will have to deal with visions of people suffering and having to constantly be on the alert, constantly being ready to kill.

THAT is what sets him apart.

A willingness to set his life on the line for others...to live a life where others will always come first.

It doesn't really make him alone though, as he's in the same class as Zelda. I think them understanding each other would enhance their relationship.

In another forum, another thread this has come up of late: Does Link's responsibility end when he's not necessarily needed at that instance? These other posters feel that when he's done, he can be as selfish as he likes. He can settle down, make a life, and Hyrule no longer matters to him. That doesn't seem like Link to me though.

It has been my experience that once you begin living the life of complete unselfishness that it CAN be easy to fall back into old patterns - but more often than not, a person's mindframe has been completely made over. Look at missionaries to 3rd world, poor nations - when they leave their mission field, they can't look at their lives or their homecountry the same again. They have been changed by watching and helping the suffering in their mission country.

I believe this same concept can definitely be applied to Link. He has seen suffering like nobody else has seen (Zelda has been in the same situation, however), and yet he presses on, hoping that one day his and Zelda's work will pay off. When it does, I just honestly can't imagine him going to toss hay around. Why would you WANT to do that? Would an Olympic gold medalist swimmer want to go back to swimming in a kiddie pool? Probably not.

That's been my stand throughout the whole argument. As another poster put it, "If Link isn't changed, he has the emotional depth of a rock. " I've always wondered that when confronted with the mundane realities of simple life again if he wouldn't internally rebel.
How's he supposed to care if the cows are fed when he could be out there making a difference? While I disliked TP as a game, I thought it was blindingly obvious how unlikely his return to goat-herding would be.

Okay, so I doubt Link would be settling down anytime soon. When dealing with Malon specifically, the only other option I can see is for her to become the "waiter"...patiently manning the homefront awaiting Link's return if they were to be in a relationship. She doesn't strike me as remotely that type though. I'd be thinking Saria fits that role a huge amount more in personality. Saria is quick to release Link when he leaves the forest, and even after seven years hasn't given up hope. She's believed and defended him against some pretty serious accusations. Zelda works the same way. Both have a certain calmness and depth that comes from deep faith.

With Malon, she seems more a "here and now" girl. Her circumstances are very important to her, and she's again dependant. I don't see her as willing to accept the fact she may never see Link again ( leaving her alone ) or not having some reassurance when he will come back. With Cremia and Romani, while different, they are even more clingy, and I don't see that suiting Link at all. We've never actually seen Malon/C/R have to deal with Link leaving them, mainly because he has no real obvious attachment to them in game. I would imagine it would come out more like Ilia in the beginning of TP though. However IMO Ilia is different in that they've melded Saria into the formula...giving her the ability to have faith. At least later in the game.

IMO LinkxMalon is more likely in the OOT Adult timeline simply because she is more likely to show sweet innocent man/child Link the birds and the bees than Zelda would because that would be totally our of her character in the first place.

In the Child Timeline a LinkxZelda has a far better chance than in the Adult Timeline without a doubt. But IMO Link would still be better off with Malon and living at LonLon ranch where he can deal with a malevolent force or injustice a lot quicker since he would basically already be there to deal with it. If he is cooped up in Hyrule Castle with Zelda he would be the last to know when a problematic danger or invading force arrives so it makes perfect sense that living in LonLon ranch will allow him to perform his hero duty more effectively and efficiently in dealing with these problems.

So if Link had to choose on what would benefit the kingdom of Hyrule best, he should choose Malon without question. Of course this is under the assumption that Link is actually in love but IMO choosing Malon means he has chosen the life of a hero. Choosing Zelda means he has chosen the life of spoiled convenience in being Zeldas lapdog/errand boy.

I deeply respect your opinion, but, IMO, if Link were to choose Malon over Zelda, MY surname or nickname for Link would farm boy. If he were to choose Zelda, I would nickname him "leader".

And, well... This topic talks about the bad things about MalonXLink. Perhaps you could make a topic that gives two thumbs up to MalonxLink??? I'm not positive that it will fit in this forum, but it's worth a shot!

Leader?? You mean leader in being Zeldas number 1 kept pet?? And whats wrong with a hero being a famer. The common people of Hyrule could rally around someone like Link who lives among them instead of being away from them and living a life of luxury in Hyrule Castle.

But I will consider your suggestion. I think someone needs to stick up for poor Malon.

Alright. Look, these aren't all my words. I got some of these opinions from a really good fanfic by someone usernamed Ingie.
Link and Zelda have been married for about two years, and a part of it is about Link trying to gain the trust of the court and council. It was going at a slow pace of course, but he did get better, and I think he succeeded.

Plus, there's nothing wrong about being a farmer, dude. I like farmers.
I just think that the people would like their hero to be in good control.
What I mean by that is if he is able to save the world, then he would do a good job if he were more involved in Hyrule's affairs wih war and welfare and such. And Link wouldn't be a pet to Zelda( I'm sorry if I'm getting you upset or aggrivated, because I truly don't mean to, but that sentence, to me, is very upsetting.). If the games gave you that impresion, then I think you should look and think deeper. Zelda is no mastermind, and she doesn't use people. At least the Zelda I know doesn't...

I think perhaps Malon should be shown in another game, and she finds her "prince". Malon is only in one game, and Zlda has been in all of them. If they wanted to show more Malink, then they would have done so, don't you think???

Do you like Midlink, or Illilink, or Zelink??? Personally, I like zelink the best, but Illilink is alright. I just can't stand Illia sometimes! She can be a pain in the ass every once in a while!

Without a doubt Link in the child timeline would be able to serve with dignity in the Hyrule Court. Mainly because Zelda would likely have a positive nurturing and reassuring influence on Link to grow from innocent cuddly forest child to being like a dignified Hyrule knight in the Hyrule Court. Since Link is an outsider I have my doubts that the King of Hyrule would permit a marriage between him and Zelda. But I like to believe that the King would at least approve of Link and Zelda being friends and that he would see Link as like a surrogate son and allow him to actively participate in the Hyrule Court since he posseses the TOC afterall. I just feel the chances for a LinkxZelda would be better if he died first and Zelda becomes Queen thats all.

Still I think there is a chance that after Link comes of age and he has mastered his weapons training with the Hyrule Knights and his formal education with Zelda in how to conduct himself as a hero, that he might finally leave Hyrule Castle again like he did in MM. Only this time he is leaving to be with Malon at LonLon ranch for his new life as full time Hero of Hyrule in living among the commoners that need his help and protection. Of course this is under the assumption that he is in love with Malon when he breaks Zeldas heart that he is leaving Hyrule Castle again, but this time for good to be with his true love Malon But since the Child Timeline ends after MM who knows. Its just Malon is my own personal preference thats all. But I'm willing to admit that Link staying to be by Zelda's side and living in Hyrule Castle is also very possible provided that the King dies of a heartattack or something.

IMO in the Adult Timeline, if Link had stayed, the LinkxZelda at the very best would be a non romantic relationship in which Zelda is forced to treat Link like a special needs child. All I can see is that everytime a royal meeting is about to start, Zelda would have to command Link to stand in a corner in the royal courtyard and stay put until she says otherwise, in which he should be convieniently out of the way until the royal meeting is over. Its either this or have Link actually attend the royal meetings where he would likely be the butt of jokes for his strange appearance with a fairy and a creepy looking gaze. Also his special needs mental condition would more than likely make him out to be this comically bizarre freak show totally out of place in the presence of the Hyrule Court.

To me this is a sad and pathetic existence for Link and there is nothing for me to believe that his life in Hyrule Castle would be any different from this. So I like to think that Zelda would be more of a motherly figure for Link and love him enough to release him from her care to live a more simple life among the commoners of Hyrule and away from an awkwardly strange existence in Hyrule Castle. IMO in the Adult timeline, it all boils down to which love interest is more likely to give him a formal education on the birds and the bees. IMO Malon, Ruto, and Nabooru would be the likely candidates to do this NOT Zelda or Saria I'm afraid. Preferably I would rather have Link settle down to be a full time farmer in a simple and happy life with Malon as Hyrule would be in relative peace and stability, therefore a hero is no longer needed. But since Zelda ultimately sent Link back to the Child Timeline its irrelevant I guess.

In OOT I like LinkxMalon (Both timelines) LinkxZelda (Child Timeline) LinkxNabooru (Adult Timeline) In TP I like LinkxAshi despite lack of game evidence and LinkxZelda. But even LinkxZelda seems unlikely and if you want to read why I think this, I suggest you go to the TP thread. But I despise LinkxIllia I hate everything about her, including her ugly duckling physical appearance and annoyng personality.

PS Edit: As for my opinion on Link being a pet, it has more to do with his in game personality to allow this to happen rather than Zelda cracking a whip to keep him in line. I think Zelda has genuine compassionate feelings for Link, its just Link seems to enjoy being very obedient to allow himself to be kept in line by females. Especially Adult Timeline Link with his more profound craving for love and affection with anyone and anything.

From the Link's competition thread:

No, but the benefit of Hyrule would dictate who Zelda should be with: him. She wants a lover who will serve and love her country as much as she does.

Irrelevant? The director of the Zelda series was the Nintendo consultant for the development of this comic. If anyone could ensure that the interpretation was valid, it would be him. This is not fan fiction.

From paying attention to what Malon says and does. It's not an unfounded accusation like Zelda and alcoholism would be.

The game doesn't say anything like that, because if they did, it would be putting words in the player's mouth. They just give hints and focus on Link's interaction with Zelda instead. He seems to like someone else and she's optional and oblivious..that should be proof enough.

I would imagine she'd ascend the throne as Queen and he'd accompany her as her King consort. The division of duties would be something they'd agree on, and they'd likely combine their strengths. Link would back her up where she's strong, and the same for where Link is stronger. ( strategy, military )

Your evidence is your interpretation of the game. So unless it's written fact, it's not evidence: it's an opinion. That's what our Case for Kingship was: an opinion with evidence we interpreted added in.

Nope, but maturity is a product of experience, not age. For someone his age to take on so much, it would prematurely age him.

As for actual in game evidence: I think the dialogue used is the best indication. The player is treated like an adult, and the situations are written in adult language. Also, you can see a difference in him when you view how he reacts to Ruto's declaration of love. As a child, he had no understanding of it and the game even said so. A difference is there.

You are missing the point. The point was that ANY girl expecting Link to change to fit into her idea for him would only end in disaster.
Zelda wouldn't force him to marry her either. She seems to already love him exactly for who he is...not who he could be. I just think that it would be a natural progression for him to grow into the role.

Yes in the Child Timeline Link would definitely GROW into a significant role in helping Zelda co rule. But from the arguements that I have read I am still not convinced that Zelda would make him a King that would make her subservant to him. It just doesn't seem right. As a theoretical hyrule citizen I can maybe tolerate Child Timeline Link being a King simply because he would have likely already distinguished himself in the Hyrule Court over several years and it would seem to be a better fit than in the Adult Timeline or TP.

In the Adult Timeline and TP I listed more than enough reasons in the other thread as to why Kingship would not fit. IMO their lack of qualification and personalities make me feel that it would be ridiculous to put them in charge of anything having to do with King/Queen type responsibilities. To me both OOT(Adult Timeline) and TP are MENTALLY the least likely of what a leader of a Kingdom should be and I think its an insult to Zeldas character that she would theoretically allow someone as these obviously unqualified Links to be King. It makes no sense to me whatsoever and its just typical ZeLink wishful thinking that in reality will never happen thank goodness.

As for the Ruto scene: His awkward reaction upon seeing a naked female for the first time in his life was in perfect character in relation to the pure childish naive innocence aspect of his character IMO One of my fave cutscenes BTW

BACK ON TOPIC: I guess my interpretation of Malons character was just the opposite of you and Love of Zeldas I guess. I felt a closer connection to her than Zelda simply because I sympathized with her more as a commoner and I did not mind doing favors for her at all. In contrast the Zelinkers found it to be annoying in helping Malon whereas I thought helping her was one of the best parts of the game. As I said before, I gravitated more to Malon because I WANTED to be her knight in shining armor and I WANTED to be her partner in helping her maintain LonLon ranch. I personally did not want Link being cooped up in Hyrule Castle being a subservant lapdog/errand boy to Zelda having to deal with being out of place in the Hyrule Court. IMO Links place is with Malon being close to the commoners of Hyrule and being able to more quickly deal with a malevolent force with the geographical benefit in living at Lon Lon ranch. IMO the people could rally around someone like Link who is up close and personal instead of being distant and away in being cooped up in the Castle, just like the annoying cartoon. Well thats what Link represented to me in MY OOT game at least.

I agree with gliderpilotgirl; Nintendo leans more towards Link and Zelda. And saving the ranch is basically just a "mini quest", similar to the ones where you obtain the golden Zora scale from fishing, or when you help find all of the chickens for the chicken lady, or when you give the knight in the village the keaton mask for his kid. All of these things you CHOOSE to do, as you are not required to complete these tasks to beat the game. Therefore Link helping Malon save the ranch is not a hint that something is there between them. I mean, think about it! Just because you help someone doesn't mean that there is any kind of commitment there.

True..all I was saying since I DID do those things in relation to Malon, reiterates my point on the basis of my own personal preference of Malon over Zelda. But generally I agree 100% with your post.