Malon topic, Yeah.

The only thing Malon and Marin have in common is the red hair. And seeing as how Link's original assumption on Marin was that she was Zelda (Marin apparentally looks almost indentital to Zelda, just with a different hair color), the conclusion that Miyamoto had Marin to be a dream version of Zelda isn't as far-fetched as some Malinkers will claim.

The only thing Malon and Marin have in common is the red hair. And seeing as how Link's original assumption on Marin was that she was Zelda (Marin apparentally looks almost indentital to Zelda, just with a different hair color), the conclusion that Miyamoto had Marin to be a dream version of Zelda isn't as far-fetched as some Malinkers will claim.

I'm fully in agreement with you.
Marin is only the first in a long line of alternate versions of Zelda...with Sheik, Tetra and even Midna coming from that line of thought. Using alternate personalities of her has become common practice.
If Malon was intended to be Link's main squeeze..she would have got the role Zelda did. not thrown in as a minor character.
( btw, I'm just using the arguments many Malinkers have used on me...because I'm sure we can come up with a better counter-argument! )
I would think OoT Zelda herself actually took attributes from Marin, like helping Link actively in his quest..and didn't Marin play a harp? ( like Sheik )

Actually, yeah, Marin did play a harp (at least, I think she did).

I hope I'm not too late to join in on this topic.

From the prospective of a Malon fan:

She was my favorite character the moment I saw her at the fountain. I loved her down to earth attitude and the fact that she seems to keep a level head despite everything that is going on around her. She seems to be so smart and just a joy to be around. That's why I would spend hours of my game play poking around Lon Lon Ranch, racing Epona, playing with the Cuccos. And most times, I would just stand and listen to her sing. (because I <3 Epona's Song so much <33). Then Navi would butt in with her heys and I would finally continue with the game. And I would always go see her right before the final battle. I couldn't help it. I suppose that's the Malink shipper in me. I always liked to imagine that Link would want to check in on her to make sure everything is okay before he goes off to see Sheik/Zelda in the Temple of Time. I mean even if their relationship wasn't romantic, they were still friends and Link would want to make sure everything was okay before venturing off to fight Ganondorf.

There isn't a lot of personality depth for the characters in OoT. We know a few basic things (i.e Link is courageous, Zelda is wise and loyal, Ruto is spoiled, Navi is annoying, but I love her anyway). But we don't know truly what these characters are like. It would be too much development for just one game, and I highly doubt Nintendo is going to devote a game to each character, just to give them personalities. That's where we the fans come in. We take the few traits we do see in them and expand on them, come to conclusions. For example: Zelda is loyal to her people, therefore it would make sense that she would do what she could to protect save them.

Just as Zelda fans speculate on Zelda's personality, Malon fans do the same.

Malon seems stable and grounded. Link's life is a whirlwind. He is constantly going here and there and retrieving this item and beating this boss. I think when he needs to unwind, he would go to Lon Lon Ranch and just hang out there. They had to forge a friendship, otherwise, I doubt she would've taught him her mother's song (or gave him her favorite horse).

I fully agree with your point that Link and Malon were friends, her teaching him Epona's Song testifies to that, and she must have trusted him enough to let Epona go off with him in MM. I can see him enjoying spending time with her, I certainly liked the ranch when playing the game.

But romantically? Despite her friendly personality, I never saw the spark between them that Link and Zelda displayed, IMO, even when Zelda was in disguise as Sheik. Nor the depth, communicated in the language that was used with Link and Zelda in both OoT and later MM. Because of this I feel Link x Malon works well in theory...but not in practice. Link never seemed to emote to her the way he did to Saria and later Zelda.
But as "we are Link" it does work in the essence that the player is Link's voice, I just never saw it in his unalterable actions/reactions.

While you may see Malon as the stability Link needs, I see her cloistered existance as a hinderance. At least in Zelda's case she is seeing the big picture, she understands the motivation behind Link ( being a hero, living for others ) because she lives by the same. Malon seems like a good person, just not on the same scale as Link and Zelda, at least to me. I don't think Malon could ever truly understand him. She also needs a partner to run the ranch with her, and Link couldn't provide the stability she'd need.

In terms of her personality: I've always seen the younger Malon as a dreamer, wishing like all young girls for a knight-in-shining armor, a hero, to come and see the beauty in her. The older Malon seems a bit more down to reality..but years of work, and watching Hyrule and Ingo's slide towards corruption has brought her down to earth. I'm not sure she would have developed that way in the peaceful Hyrule in Link's renewed childhood. The bottom line, as much as I liked Malon, ( and Ruto etc ) I don't think Link is THE one for her. I think someone would eventually come along who would see her for as unique and beautiful as she is, whereas she'd be second fiddle to Zelda when dealing with Link.

And Zelda's existance is not cloistered? She is the Princess of Hyrule. She cannot abandon her duty to her people on a whim simply because Link wants to take off. Wouldn't that make her irresponsible? Doesn't her duty as a princess come before Link?
As bored as Link (might) would be living on the ranch, don't you think he would be equally bored having to live in the castle? Either way, he would have to make a commitment and settle down for the simple fact that both girls have responsibilities that they won't just easily abandon.

And because (it is assumed, but certainly not by me) Malon doesn't live this "self sacrificing" life that Zelda does, wouldn't make her any less likely to understand Link. If she truly cared about him, she would be wiling and able to understand that he had this need to protect Hyrule, because it is his destiny. I don't think Malon would be so selfish as to expect Link to remain exclusively devoted to life on a ranch when he has spent most of his life adventuring. And the same would go for Zelda. If either of them were in a relationship with Link, they would wait patiently for his return. Of course Zelda *might* be able to play a bigger role in Link's adventure because of the Triforce of Wisdom. But that doesn't necessarily throw Malon out of the running all together.

Just because her role is smaller doesn't mean she's any less important to Link as Zelda is.

I can understand Link's reactions to a lot of the situations with Zelda. Everything he had done was for her. All of the fighting and all of the adventuring was to protect her and restore peace to Hyrule. I understand that. But after saving Lon Lon Ranch from Ingo, Malon and the Ranch and Epona are really the only nostalgic things of old Hyrule before Ganondorf Link has. Zelda's gone and he doesn't know where she is. The Kokiri Forest has been overran with monsters. Zora's River is completely frozen over. Hyrule Castle Town is gone. There was nothing left but Lon Lon Ranch. I think that was something Link needed. Having the life that he did, without some kind of stability, I think he may have went crazy.

But that's just me.

And Zelda's existance is not cloistered? She is the Princess of Hyrule. She cannot abandon her duty to her people on a whim simply because Link wants to take off. Wouldn't that make her irresponsible? Doesn't her duty as a princess come before Link?
As bored as Link (might) would be living on the ranch, don't you think he would be equally bored having to live in the castle? Either way, he would have to make a commitment and settle down for the simple fact that both girls have responsibilities that they won't just easily abandon.

And because (it is assumed, but certainly not by me) Malon doesn't live this "self sacrificing" life that Zelda does, wouldn't make her any less likely to understand Link. If she truly cared about him, she would be wiling and able to understand that he had this need to protect Hyrule, because it is his destiny. I don't think Malon would be so selfish as to expect Link to remain exclusively devoted to life on a ranch when he has spent most of his life adventuring. And the same would go for Zelda. If either of them were in a relationship with Link, they would wait patiently for his return. Of course Zelda *might* be able to play a bigger role in Link's adventure because of the Triforce of Wisdom. But that doesn't necessarily throw Malon out of the running all together.

Just because her role is smaller doesn't mean she's any less important to Link as Zelda is.

I can understand Link's reactions to a lot of the situations with Zelda. Everything he had done was for her. All of the fighting and all of the adventuring was to protect her and restore peace to Hyrule. I understand that. But after saving Lon Lon Ranch from Ingo, Malon and the Ranch and Epona are really the only nostalgic things of old Hyrule before Ganondorf Link has. Zelda's gone and he doesn't know where she is. The Kokiri Forest has been overran with monsters. Zora's River is completely frozen over. Hyrule Castle Town is gone. There was nothing left but Lon Lon Ranch. I think that was something Link needed. Having the life that he did, without some kind of stability, I think he may have went crazy.

But that's just me.

Agreed: Zelda can't abandon her responsibilities. But I see Zelda's responsibilities as closer to Link's calling..he wouldn't have to leave the heart of his role behind if he chose to join her in that lifestyle. He would be ensuring the peace and safety of Hyrule at her side, just as easily as if he was unattached.

I don't think Malon is such a bad person that she couldn't let Link go if she truly loved him, I just saw nothing in game to indicate she did. He came back 7 years later, and she didn't know who he was: that's not what comes to mind when I think of Link's soulmate. Zelda, on the other hand was the first person to meet him, seconds after he arrived. She had been waiting for him, and even said so. She never gave up hope in him. Malon needed Epona's recognition to jar her memory, and that doesn't testify to them really knowing each other that well. Even if Link had that stability in Lon Lon as an adult...it's dishonest. He can't bury his head in the sand and forget what was going on, the game makes it clear through Ruto and Impa how worried Link really was about Zelda. ( and everyone else obviously ) I'd see him being driven to find them, rather than idling time away while they could be in danger. While the Ranch, and Malon could be an escape, I think Link loves Hyrule ( and Zelda ) enough to forgo that in order to be who he must. I guess it's my belief again that Link and Malon have completely different goals in life, and his isn't compatible with hers.

Not saying that Link would be wasting time at the ranch, while he knew that people he obviously cared for was in danger. That wouldn't make sense. What I meant was that while he was out traveling, riding from place to place he could've seen Lon Lon Ranch standing tall and secure and he would be secure in knowing that everything would be okay so long as he kept going.

I don't deny that Link has feelings for Zelda. I know if someone was constantly saving me (or if I am the one doing the saving) I would probably have strong feelings for him too. Not only that, they are bound together by destiny and fate.

Anyway, the point is moot and we could be here all day debating. There are valid reasons for Link to choose either girl. It's a matter of which appeal to you more.

Personally I'd see it to be more logical for Link to be with Zelda--since she's the lead female role. A lot more happens between them as far as the gamer can see. With Malon, other than two or three scenes, there's not much--which leaves a lot of vague speculation.

There's really nothing but vague speculation all around. Which is what we fans do. We speculate. And until we are given a concrete answer from the creators, it will all be a matter of perspective. We'll see what we want to see. And even *if* we ever do get an answer to what is canon and what's not, fandom will always make up for what is lacking in the canon. Which is what makes fandom so great <3.

Fandom can also be pretty crazy...

This is why there is fandom_wank.

From the Ilia thread:

While I hate to bring another game into it, TP had some striking parallels to OoT. Ilia seemed to be an amalgamation of the concepts behind and people of Saria and Malon, and the development of a relationship with Midna parallel's OoT's Sheik/Zelda.
Anyways, most of what I posted above can perfectly apply to Malon. We have a hero ( OoT Link ) who started in an idyllic life in the forest..and encountered a similar idyllic life in the ranch. In OoT's case Saria was the one he clearly held great affection for: his childhood friend who truly loved and believed in him. But both her and Malon are static versus the very dynamic Link and Zelda. I have a very difficult time seeing the changed Link being interested in a girl who really hasn't changed. Malon is really not much different as an adult..a bit more down to earth by circumstance, but when the ranch is restored, she's back to her usual singing self...living her idyllic and carefree life. I don't think her and Link have anything in common anymore..just as it felt obvious how done he was in TP with that life..I feel the same for OoT Link.

However I do think if Link had NOT been called to be the hero, ( like in TP ) Link x Malon may have succeeded. ( Of course, there's nothing clearly saying it couldn't have happened eventually, I just don't see the possibility as likely )

That's a fact x_x


I'd just like to reiterate that I still feel that a lot of Malink's popularity comes from the fact that Malon could essentially be any girl.

Yes, I'm sure we girls would all like to see ourselves as Princess Zelda, fighting evil by moonlight and running countries by daylight, but unless we were born into the same position as her, we can't really relate to her. I seriously doubt any of us are going to be ruling kingdoms and disguising ourselves as ninja any time soon.

It's easier to emphasize with the normal girl who was raised on a ranch, even if we aren't farm girls ourselves. It's far easier to picture ourselves in Malon's shoes.

But it seems as though some of the ultra militant, "Ship my ship or you die!" Malinker's can't distance themselves from the idea that they could be Malon, that Link is meant to be with Malon. That Link is meant to be with them.

This is by no means a condemnation of Malon herself. I love her as a character, for all of the reasons that Saami listed much better than I could (also, I love you Saami, because you use logic and reason ). But Malink is not canon, just as Zelink nor any other ship involving either Link or Zelda (in any of her forms) is canon. Most couples in the LoZ 'verse are just wishful thinking on the fandom's part.

As for those who enjoy bashing Malon because she "gets in the way" or "is a dumb character", they can go stuff their attitude where the sun don't shine!

That's a fact x_x


I'd just like to reiterate that I still feel that a lot of Malink's popularity comes from the fact that Malon could essentially be any girl.

Yes, I'm sure we girls would all like to see ourselves as Princess Zelda, fighting evil by moonlight and running countries by daylight, but unless we were born into the same position as her, we can't really relate to her. I seriously doubt any of us are going to be ruling kingdoms and disguising ourselves as ninja any time soon.

It's easier to emphasize with the normal girl who was raised on a ranch, even if we aren't farm girls ourselves. It's far easier to picture ourselves in Malon's shoes.

But it seems as though some of the ultra militant, "Ship my ship or you die!" Malinker's can't distance themselves from the idea that they could be Malon, that Link is meant to be with Malon. That Link is meant to be with them.

This is by no means a condemnation of Malon herself. I love her as a character, for all of the reasons that Saami listed much better than I could (also, I love you Saami, because you use logic and reason ). But Malink is not canon, just as Zelink nor any other ship involving either Link or Zelda (in any of her forms) is canon. Most couples in the LoZ 'verse are just wishful thinking on the fandom's part.

As for those who enjoy bashing Malon because she "gets in the way" or "is a dumb character", they can go stuff their attitude where the sun don't shine!

That's not the reason I like Malink. I don't see myself as Malon. She's a lot of things I'm just not. Like hardworking. LOL. But I digress.

For me Link/Malon is more of an impossible odds kind of thing. Everyone expects Link to go for Zelda since they are bound by fate and destiny. No matter what, no one can change that. But the thought of Malon, who is a farm girl and admittedly the newer Zelda fans don't know and Link is the hero who is in every game in some incarnation or another getting together is just incredibly sweet to me. I hope that makes sense XD

And thank you . Logic and reason are good tools to have <3.