The Case for Kingship: Part 1 and 2

I don't think the feelings are hidden...just actions resulting from them are kept away. I mean it seems obvious to me that they like each other, and other characters know it. ( Impa, Ruto, possibly Navi and Tatl...) But in the interest of pleasing everyone they never let them get that well-deserved kiss. But I'd rather take an overall subtle ( or not ) relationship throughout the whole game over a one time event that can be denied.

Indeed, the essay based on logic and proof is remarkable! I also wish that everyone would read it.

I hope that one day, when they have another interview with the makers of the game, the interviewer will tell the one who is being interviewed that whatever decision they make about this love plight, it's not about the drama, or a breathtaking, unsuspected result.
It's about pleasing the most amount of people. And, based on the essay and the posts I have read, Zelda should be the most appropriate candidate.
But, it's not only because of duty, because, well, there is not one girl other than the wise Princess Zelda that had to do with Link's triumph over evil in every single game. She plays a rather vital part in the games, though she is not shown on screen as often.

But back to the post on top. I agree, the feelings are almost never hidden, but the result of those feelings is what keeps this topic interesting.
Every once in a while, one of the most important words are cut off. For example, in TP (which is one of the most debated since it's most complex), Midna is leaving to her realm in the end of the game. Before she leaves, she says that Link and Midna may see each other again. She then says " Link..." "I..." "See you later." I was thinking WHAT??? I'm not sure about what she was going to say, but I wish that they didn't cut it off... It can be really annoying. Also, in that part, Zelda just stands there, right next to Link!

My Case AGAINST Kingship

OOT Link Child Timeline: For one thing he is a commoner and there is no proof that the King of Hyrule would go out of his way to allow a commoner like Link to marry into the Royal Family. Even if he dies and Zelda becomes Queen and marries Link, its highly unlikely that she will give up her administrative duties as head of state to a soft spoken dweeb like Link. Seriously people can you imagine Link giving an important royal speech?? More than likely the royal subjects would heckle and laugh at him and throw rocks. IMO Link does not command the respect that Zelda does when it comes to King/Queen administrative duties. More than likely Zelda will allow him to handle things that he would be good at like working with the Hyrule Knights on military matters or doing errands with envoy missions involving him using Epona. At best Link would be like a Prince/regent that would be subservant to Zelda as Queen. IMO Kingship for Link can only happen if Zelda dies and she bares no children.

OOT Link Adult Timeline: This Link is literally a child trapped in a mans body. Unlike the Link in the other timeline he does not have the advantage of a friendship with Zelda over the years to properly teach him how to serve with dignity in the Hyrule Court as this Link was in limbo for 7 years remaining in a state of arrested development. In other words he would be completely out of place in the Hyrule Court as some comically bizzare freak show with a fairy hovering and twirling around him along with his creepy blank stare of clueless oblivion. He would simply just stand there at Zeldas side during the important royal meetings like a special needs child having no clue as to whats going on. So no Kingship here for obvious reasons.

TP Link: Unfortunately for this Link he can only be an admirer from afar because lack of game evidence suggests that Zelda has no romantic interest in him whatsoever. His role in the Hyrule Court would be simply as the Common Born Hero of Hyrule with the TOC with a special status as a seperate but equal rank in relation to the nobles and knights of the Hyrule Court. More than likely Link will remain in this position within the Hyrule Court and Zelda will go on to marry a more qualified Hyrule nobleman. Nope no Kingship here either.

So in conclusion OOT Link Child Timeline has the best chance for Kingship only under the circumstances that after marriage with Zelda, that she dies and bares no children.

Stop ruining this topic that discuss Zelink.
I respect your liking of Malon, based on your name, but then respect our liking of Zelink, please.

I'm glad you don't swear or say anything completely unecessary about Zelink, and I respect your opinion, but respect our happiness chating and discussing here to help Zelink evidence prosper. This is, after all, a Link X Zelda forum. I know your trying to sound formal and polite, but you'll have to do better than that to avoid bashing and dissaproval.

PS: To be honest, I found that essay very well written, and it looks like you put a lot of thought into it. For that, I must say kudos! Just, maybe you might consider trying to ease up on the formality, and perhaps lighten up.

TNX. I'm not trying to be malicious, its just that its fun to debate about these issues.

Okay, sure. Just be sure to check your words right and just lighten up. What I do when I debate something is to talk about something else more enlightening, in case the other person gets mad or something...

I don't think you're MALICIOUS... That might be just a tad harsh...

He is not a commoner - Ocarina of Time Comic - Nintendo Power Magazine This comic basically says that Link is the son of a Hylian Knight - hardly a commoner. His mother is likely of noble blood to be married to Link's father. Therefore, it would be a perfectly feasible option for Link to marry into the Royal Family.

A "soft-spoken dweeb?" Where did that impression come from? To my knowledge, Link has never spoken in OoT, period. It is implied that he has said a word, but it is not speech in the traditional sense of the word. And just because he is willing to help Zelda in her quest to make Hyrule a better place does not make him a dweeb.

Certainly not, since his lineage is that of a long line of Knights and he would be thoroughly trained for the role of King, if indeed that became the case. And why would the Hylians mock him if he saved their country from Ganondorf's clutches?

Those types of things are part of a King's role anyways. He would be commander-in-chief (so to speak) in the Hylian military, he would be a peace-keeper among his people since he spent such a long amount of time with them, and he would make alliances with other races in Hyrule because he has been among them.

It is not appropriate in a debate to bash ANY character (I am aware this has already been said). And if Link were to become King, he wouldn't have time to have a "creepy blank stare of clueless oblivion." He would be immediately involved in training for the throne.

Maybe he would during his training, but I guarantee that he wouldn't get to do it for long. Kings are extraordinarily busy, and he would have to keep pace with Zelda and the things that demand her attention. Since Link demonstrated value in his leadership in fighting against Ganondorf, leadership on the throne wouldn't be too far of a stretch.

Just because lack of in-game evidence implies that there would be no romance between TP Link and Zelda doesn't mean that the foundation for it wasn't set. Remember the scene on the glowing lake just before Link and Zelda chase after Ganondorf on horses? That was the strongest Zelink moment in the game; while it was brief, it gave the implication that there might be more going on later outside the game.

Truly, the game felt more Link x Midna more than anything else, but the scene in the credits where we witness Link riding away from Ordon Village makes me believe that he made the choice to leave behind his old life and begin a new on in the main area of Hyrule. When a soldier's life changes as drastically as Link's obviously did, there is no emotional support or mental refuge in the "old haunts." It's like when a person moves away from an area for a long period of time, then goes back to visit only to discover all the playmates are gone and the neighborhood is a bit rougher. It just doesn't fit who you are as a person anymore.

I would also like to state that the Magic Armor featured in TP looks just like Zelda's traditional outfit. Notice the Sheikah symbol on the shoulder pads, the similarly patterned apron, etc. What can we take from this? The article has already stated what we can and cannot take from this, so I will not repeat myself.

Here is the picture which gliderpilotgirl has graciously provided:

You make really good points and I remember reading something that OOT Link was related to the Hylian Knights but I can't quite remember. Anyway the correct term I should have used was OUTSIDER instead of commoner. But I really believe that in the Child Timeline that Zelda would sort of entrust Link with some authority to help her co rule the kingdom of Hyrule. Yet there is nothing for me to believe that Zelda would just give up her title as head of state to Link at all. I don't know, but for some reason I just can't picture Zelda being subservant to Link period. And I can't picture them having matching thrones either. To me the image I get is Zelda sitting on her throne as Queen and Link STANDING by her side as Prince co regent subservant to Zelda in authority that includes the marriage relationship as well.

As for the Adult timeline, I just can't picture Link serving in the Hyrule Court in his child like mental state. So in other words, Kingship in this timeline is totally out of the question. You yourself admitted that Link has never spoken, so how the heck can he be King of anything?? Zelda would be crazy to relinquish her royal title to someone that can barely communicate and who barely has the mental capacity to think for himself less be in charge of an entire kingdom. IMO its far more likely that all Link cares about after Ganon has been defeated in this timeline is being with any female that will order him around and keep him in line like the perfect obedient pet that he is and nothing more. At least that would be more believable than any outrageous notion of Kingship, thats for sure. I think Zelda knew this and it only makes perfect sense that she sent him back to the Child Timeline or else Link would have more than likely wandered off and end up settling into a more simple and less complex lifestyle with either Malon, Ruto, or even Nabooru if he had stayed. Preferably with Malon of course. Anyway, Kingship is the last thing that would have happened in this timeline. I bet my life on it.

In TP I just see the whole LinkxZelda thing as an incompatible mismatch thats totally the opposite of OOT LinkxZelda in the child timeline IMO. With that being said, I still prefer a LinkxZelda in TP than a LinkxIllia without question. But I still have doubts that TP Zelda would allow Link to co rule with her even if by some miracle they did get married. I still think Link fits best as just the Hero of Hyrule with the TOC under Zeldas royal command. But it would be funny if Zelda allowed him to perform a royal speech just for the heck of it. If I were a royal subject that had to endure an awkwardly quite speech from Link, I would love to heckle him and throw rocks at his face as he nervously fumbles through the words.

Okay. I still don't get the rock throwing part. He has the confidence to stand up to monsters and even the dark lord Ganny himself. So, why doesn't he have to courage to make a speech??? Nervous around people??? Not likely. Otherwise he wouldn't do so well as to saving them. And I think that Zelda would well allow him to be crowned King, if she loved him. Actually, I think that Link would accept the life-long task, but Zelda would care more about his well-being, since the councils and such wouldn't like a man with so called "dirty blood" to ever be crowned King of Hyrule. Honestly, I don't think Zelda cares about bloodline.

Well, I gotta go now. This is the last day of the holidays, so I'm not going to waste it on the computer!!! You'll all probably see me less from now on until summer or Christmas. Maybe not even X-Mas (That is the American slang for Christmas, right? I've heard it before, on tv, but the british don't use it much... Not saying I'm british or anything! I don't have the accent, though I can speak with it well enough... I think.)

I was obviously kidding about the rock throwing part, but I still think it would be a funny sight. Its just Links lack of formal public speaking skills and his lack of formality in general, along with the knowledge that he is basically a country bumpkin, would probably hurt his chances in anybody actually taking him serious in being a competent monarch. But its doubtful that he can even hook up with Zelda in the first place for that to even come close to happening anyway. Well have a great labor day holiday Hylian Princess.

Thanks. And you know the picture of Link of Link in the royla Hylina Armor??? ... He is way cuter in person. He looked like a robot!

When it comes to serving and obeying Zelda he naturally is a robot.

I disagree. Link follows Zelda's direction because she is the voice of wisdom pointing to the right thing to do. She's not making these decisions as a selfish girl interested in furthuring her own ambitions, she's doing for the benefit of her people, as is he. She's just gifted in the planning aspect rather than doing sometimes. ( And she does stuff plenty well! Sheik, Tetra.....)

As for Link being a country bumpkin, yes, he's one of the people. But that would make him VERY popular with his subjects. He doesn't come from a long and lofty line of royals ( as Zelda does ) but rather is more like them. An alliance with Zelda would also display in a symbolic way her regard for her people. She hasn't held prejudice against this young man for his lack of royal blood but rather has seen him fit to rule at her side.

In Part 2 we addressed how Zelda could theoretically marry someone else. Do you think her people would want to see some insignificant nobleman attain equal power with Zelda, chosen over their hero? Marrying Link would be smart move on her part.

Okay, obviously MalonsLover, we are not going to convince each other to go to "the other side." You have your opinion, we have ours, nothing will change. But we will be even more at an impasse as long as our projections on Link as a character are either noble or stupid.

Let's take the devil's advocate concerning the issue of Link's character. As you say, Link is stupid - he follows orders too easily, he gets trapped with wily women, and he is easily led. Link, in short, cannot scratch his own butt without help. Where does this leave him?

If Link were to marry Malon and he were in this state of mental retardation, Link would be a burden not an asset. Having lived on a farm for over a decade myself, farming isn't for idiots, no matter what the sterotypic cartoons say. Ingo the farmhand would have two lazy persons on the farm, and yet four mouths to feed. But would Link even be allowed to marry Malon if he were as mentally retarded as he was? Remember the chicken game you have to play to get a bottle of milk? If I recall correctly, Talon asks Link if he would like to marry Malon - I am assuming because Talon saw that Link could be a hard worker. But if Link were in a mental state that prevented him from being a hard worker, I doubt that he would even get the chance to play the game, or else he would fail all the time.

If Link is truly the mentally retarded, obedient doormat, then he wouldn't have survived as long as he did against Ganondorf - one of Ganon's traps would have most certainly caught him and killed him. Or maybe he would have starved to death since he can't really feed himself. There isn't anyone in Castle Town anymore, everywhere else is far away. He's too big to be in the Kokiri Forest, and yet his mind is younger than any of those kids appear to be.

Let's look at another aspect of Link's "ineptitude:" He wouldn't have even been the Hero of Time. I mean that. He might have been accepted into the Kokiri Forest, but someone else would have been the Hero of Time. Hyrule doesn't need a hero who can't put on his boots without help, and they certainly don't need a fellow who bumbles around with everything he does. And we can't use the "Link would only bumble around with public service stuff if he were to be King" excuse either. A bumbler bumbles in all areas of life, not just the public ones.

In short, Link would be just another member of society, just a useless one. When I say this, I don't mean that people with mental retardations in our society are useless - I'm just setting up this scenario with Link only.

Link cannot be both heroic (saving family, saving friends, saving Hyrule) and a mentally incapacitated character. Either he would draw upon the grace he learned as an adult to deal with any situation, or he wouldn't even try and become an adult. The argument that Link is just a rolling head makes no sense.

No no no. You got it all wrong. Link (Adult timeline) would be inept in being a King simply because he is literally a child trapped in a mans body. Plus it makes no logical sense for Zelda to force him to be trained in becoming a King that would likely take an entire lifetime, when Zelda can already rule the kingdom on her own. Its almost an insult to Zeldas character to suggest that she has to give up her title as ruler of the kingdom to someone that is like a special needs child with no previous experience in royal responsibilities whatsoever. Why would Zelda subject Link to such a thing and why is it that she has to force him to participate in the complexities of the Hyrule Court when its very obvious that he would be awkwardly out of place there in the first place.

To me its more likely that Zelda would love him enough to let him be free to live with the common people of Hyrule where he can more easily adapt to something like farming. IMO to live a happy and simple life with Malon would allow him to grow and mature mentally than forcing him to adapt to a more complex life in the Castle that would more likely be detrimental to his unfortunate mental state as it is.

To Gilderpilot: There is nothing insulting with Link obeying Zelda in order to fulfill his obligations in being a Hero. In the case of TP, even in the unlikelyhood that LinkxZelda did get married, it makes no sense that it has to be mandatory that Zelda has to give Link very important King/Queen responsibilities like public speeches, dictating legislation, and making important executive decisions when he has had no previous experience at this in the first place. Again, it doesn't make any logical sense and IMO this is an insult to Zeldas capabilities that she can't continue to do these things anymore simply because its more proper that a man has do it. Its perfectly clear through in game evidence that Link would more likely be a fish out of water in doing these things and it makes more sense that Zelda maintains these responsibilities instead of illogically relinquishing them to someone that is obviously not qualified like Link.

Remember...Link is more adapt in taking orders, he does not, I REPEAT, he does not give them. And there is plenty of in game evidence in both OOT and TP to fully support this. CASE CLOSED