Link's competition

I've already read the Parallels in Love article on the ZU forum and its very well thought out and written. I actually think the Kafei(Link) and Anju(Zelda) in relation to the other woman Cremia(Malon) parallel that may or may not lead to a possible LinkxZelda in the Child Timeline is a very plausible theory. Believe it or not, I think the Case for Kingship is very well written too, only that there are more angles to debate against it. I just choose not to try to debate the Parallels in Love issue because I have never denied the possiblility of LinkxZelda in the Child Timeline. Its just OOT/MM overall neither supports or denies LinkxZelda or LinkxMalon. But when analyzing in using the KafeixAnju relationship it makes perfect sense on the parallel possibility for a LinkxZelda in the CT for sure.

I know sometimes I come off as a jerk to you and Gilderpilot but its only because both of you make really good points for me to work with in coming up with a counter arguement in order to try to represent both sides of the Zelda vs. Malon issue. Besides..I think its kind of sexy the way you and Gilderpilot debate against me. As a matter of fact, I think I have developed a secret online crush on both of you. Anyway for what its worth, I apologize if I have offended you previously before.

OK BACK ON TOPIC: Links competition could be the royal chef who cooks those wonderful healthy breakfasts/lunch/dinners to keep Zelda in maintaining a voluptuous figure.

Actually, gliderpilotgirl and I have written a theorizing article about this very subject called Parallels in Love. You are welcome to read it in it's entirety here, but a summarization is appropriate for this post.

Gliderpilotgirl and I both believe that the progression of Anju's and Kafei's love story can be perceived as a parallel to Link and Zelda's relationship (once Link returns to Hyrule).

1. Both Kafei and Link are children, and both were turned back into these states without wanting it.

2. Zelda states when Link leaves (in the sequence atop Clock Tower) that "...I believe in my heart that a day will come when I shall meet you again... Until that day comes..." I placed the bold type there on purpose - Zelda has had prophetic dreams before (noted when the player first meets here in OoT). The fact that she says "when" is an extremely important thing for her to say - she means that she knows he will return one day, even though she doesn't know specifically when he will return.

Anju is in the same situation. She has faith that Kafei will return, and she keeps that faith until two hours before the moon crashes when Kafei finally comes back. Anju knows that after she receives the Pendant of Memories that Kafei is coming for her, she just doesn't know the exact time.

3. When Link as a Deku Scrub retrieves the Ocarina of Time, the game states "...Suddenly, memories of Princess Zelda come rushing back to you..." This is basically Link's "Pendant of Memories (that Kafei actually has)."

4. The fourth point is that of a third party who conceivably complicates matters between both Anju and Kafei - also Link and Zelda. During the ride into town Cremia where the player must defend the milk, Cremia plainly states that she needs help on the farm now that Kafei is getting married at the Carnival of Time. In OoT with the chicken game that the player can play to win a bottle of milk, Talon good-naturedly asks Link if he would like to marry Malon when he (Link) grows up. This would presumably kill two birds with one stone for Talon - give his daughter a life companion and have an extra hand around the ranch.

5. The final point is this: the dialogue in Anju and Kafei's reunion scene and the scene on Clock tower is too similar to be missed:

Anju: “I...I have met you before."

Zelda: “that a day will come when I shall meet you again...”

After further dialogue in the Anju/Kafei scene, Anju says:

Anju: “...Welcome home.”

Quoting from the article: "The statement “Welcome home” also draws our attention, as it seems a little perculiar. Kafei has not really gone anywhere…but Link has."

With this points in mind, it is not too much of a stretch to imagine Anju and Kafei's relationship as a good parallel to Link and Zelda's relationship, which obviously, would have to take place outside the games of MM and OoT.

Again, the link to the article is here.

lol That is a very interesting logic. Another point that it portrays is that even though that Zelda sent Link back to the child timeline, doesn't mean that the same relationship cannot take place on the same dynamic scale. Man, I love metaphoric parallels.

Oh yeah, I did not suggest that Zelda was possessive; I merely suggested that she was the one that he was the closest to, the one that he "loves".

Yeah..I think it makes perfect sense to believe that Link as a child has some sort of an emotional attachment to Zelda, since she is the main heroine of the game series after all. And it would be strange if Malon got special cutscenes with Link since she is just a secondary character/possible alternate love interest and nothing more. Still, I like to reference the MM cutscene of Link parting ways with Zelda, and the Cremia hug scene that Link may possibly choose Malon over Zelda when he finally comes of age after his supposed return to Hyrule after the MM adventure. But in no way am I suggesting that its concrete proof that a LinkxMalon is guaranteed to happen by any means.

But I do like the Kafei, Anju, Cremia parallel to the Link, Zelda, Malon love triangle as well. Mainly because Cremia (Malon) is actually romantically interested in Kafei (Link) to give me hope that its possible for Link to maybe choose Malon in the future since Cremia's interest in Kafei parallels Malon's possible interest in Link as her knight in shining armor. LOL Leave it to me to use a Zelinker theory to turn it around to support my Malinker theories again.

Still, I admit that the Parallel in Love article is a far more detailed and clearer reference to support a possible LinkxZelda in the MM future, than the far more vague memory sequence and the MM prologue of the story that is treasured by the Hyrule Royal family that does not reference anything remotely to Link marrying into the Royal Family at all.

Exactly! Why would it change? The child Link of MM is still the Hero of Time: the one who searched far and wide to find his princess, and the one who challenged Ganondorf to rescue her. He had a second chance...and chance for a fresh start. But the game left us with him returning to her. I took that as his intentions and feelings had not changed. He may have desired to prevent the future ( the business interpretation ) but that was never mentioned in either OoT or MM. A sentimental ending = sentimental feelings.
They were given a chance to start new...I've always felt that they would eventually achieve the happy ending they were denied in OoT's adult time.

As far as Kafei and Anju: I think the most important thing is that they have the same type of relationship that Link and Zelda have...and that's why I can see it reflecting upon our main protagonists. Likewise, Cremia has the same relationship to Kafei
likely that Link would have to Malon. I fully expect that Cremia pursued Kafei during the years they grew up..not hiding her intentions remotely. She probably used the same methods on him too: lavishing affection, hugs, praise. All good things, but it didn't win her Kafei in the end. He chose Anju, regardless of how Cremia felt.

I think that the same thing would eventually happen if Link had to choose between Zelda and Malon. Also, Anju herself was not undesired: the townspeople seem to like her quite a bit. Yet she still held out for Kafei, even though she had every reason to be angry and move on. ( Like Zelda! Link did disappear for 7 years after all. She wouldn't remember that timeline, but she's still the same girl. )

About Zelda being in a similar situation to Anju during the seven years Link spent sealed in the Sacred Realm, I'm not sure I agree with that. Zelda had hope that Link would return to save Hyrule, even when she practically had nothing to go on (I would assume so, anyway; I don't know how she could have known that Link would have to be sealed in the Sacred Realm for seven years before he could take on the title of "Hero of Time"). I don't see why Zelda would have been bitter towards Link in that situation, since he himself didn't know about being sealed before Rauru told him about it.

But if you're talking about the situation Zelda was in during MM, then yeah, I can definitely see why Zelda would be upset, maybe even a little angry, about Link leaving Hyrule. He just basically went and left (and as far as Zelda's concerned, if we're to assume she had no remembrance of the alternate timeline, it was probably a hasty decision) without telling her why he was leaving and when he would come back. Like Anju with Kafei (although Anju started out as depressed), Zelda only had the hope that Link would one day come back.

I could be wrong, but I believe that Kafei and Anju's seperation occured when they were already grown up, and I don't think Kafei was gone for 7 years. At least not to my knowledge. From reading the Parallels in Love article, I assumed the parallel was with the Child Timeline, and not the Adult Timeline. IMO Zeldas Anju like emotional attachment to Link seems to be a lot stronger in the Child Timeline anyway.

You're right about Kafei not being gone for seven years; his disappearance lasted for a month.

My point was merely that Link had just up and disappeared in the seven year period. She knew he had gone to the Sacred Realm but he was just gone...and her world was falling apart. ( Like the Moon coming and Anju being alone ) Zelda may have felt terrible despair and wondered when he'd return, if ever.

In the child timeline, of course. He just up and left with likely barely a word. ( His journey was secret: maybe his purpose he withheld from her till much later when he returned ) She's got to be hurting. Her companion and friend who she feels she knows so well is gone. Link pretty much did the same thing to her that Navi did to him. She'd be justified in moving on.

Anyways, Zelda seems much more "whole" than Link was...unlike Link I don't see her getting into an nearly unbreakable funk. I think she'd forgive him and when he returned it would be to open arms...like Kafei with Anju.

ML: The timeline is irrelevant as the situation is effectively timeless. Zelda was attached to him in both timelines, just only the child one is the one he'd eventually stay in. I wanted the fact it was seven years to point out how massive that was...she waited for him for a very long time. If she had to, I think she'd do it again after he left in MM.
It's a measure of her trust in him.

Oh yeah I agree that she dilligently waited for him during the AT. Its just in the CT, Zelda actually got a chance to know Link better over a period of time in contrast to the two brief meetings with Link before he went into limbo in the AT. Its just I never thought of the AT when comparing the parallel love triangles that was discussed in the article thats all.

But you bring up an interesting point that I have thought a lot about in reference to the "secret" aspect of his journey and that he "crept" away when it was obvious that he "rode" away on Epona. But I was under the impression that by the time of the cutscene in which he parted ways with Zelda, that she already knew he was leaving. Therefore it wasn't that big of a secret anymore right? I just thought the whole creeping away on a secret journey issue had more to do that it was uneventful and that nobody in Hyrule cared one bit that he left except Zelda.

To elaborate, his lost sense of purpose may have theoretically had something to do with the King of Hyrule and the rest of the Hyrule Court maybe still treating him like an insignificant child and not taking him serious despite of the things he had experienced in the OOT adventure. Not to mention that the Hyrule commoners probably didn't take Link seriously either. And they were probably still treating him like a harmless cute and cuddly cherub like forest child that may have also included even a friend like Malon still calling him a fairy boy. Naturally this would make him feel depressed with a lost sense of purpose as you have referenced. I see Zelda maybe trying to comfort Link at least, but maybe her approach may have made him feel too coddled like a helpless little baby that would have just made things a lot worse for his bruised self esteem as it was.

Anyway, don't you think it would have been rude on his part and sort of against his polite nature to not at least tell Zelda that he was going on a journey to search for the fairy that he was with when they had first met?? It seems more believable to me that possibly everyone in Hyrule didn't seem to take him as seriously as he might have wanted them to, Zelda included. So this probably made him feel depressed with a loss of purpose in being simply recognized as Zelda's adorable sidekick always loyally following her everywhere she goes in the Castle, instead of the hero that he may have been yearning to be after the OOT adventure.

Maybe in trying to find Navi, he was seeking to recapture his self esteem in being the hero he once was. So he "crept" away on a "secret" journey because nobody in Hyrule saw him as the hero he felt he was inside, so it was a secret because nobody cared or knew about his departure besides Zelda. And more than likely he told Malon as well, since Link probably had to tell her why he needed Epona for the supposedly "secret" journey. I don't know but thats my two cents on what I think the creeping away on a super secretive journey may or may not have meant.

You are right on in this regard:



If you read further, it is apparent that Link has the mind of a fully-grown warrior, but has the body of a child.

Zelda knew he was leaving - she stated that. I think she understood that while he might have said that he was going to look for Navi, that he was actually trying to get away from Hyrule (the why I will theorize about later).

Since Zelda took the whole of Hyrule back seven years, it would be expected that no one would remember what Link and Zelda did. Methinks that Zelda knew that this would occur, but I also think that maybe, just maybe, Link didn't know to expect it.

I understand that in the game we hear Navi's signature "swishing sound," but I never got the feeling that he was searching for Navi beyond that. We read in the MM manga that Link was searching for Skull Kid (the friend that he had played the ocarina with in Kokiri Forest), but I feel that he was searching for himself. There are many, many different psychologies throughout the game, but the psychology of the masks which inspired happiness in the people who gave them also inspired Link to have courage in himself again. This is my theory.

OMG I never knew there was an MM Manga!! Thats cool. But yeah..I get a sense that Link has matured in a way after his OOT adventure. Not mature in a sense to seek out romantic love or try to hopelessly serve in the Hyrule Court, but more to a yearning to help others in need elsewhere, instead of staying in Hyrule being simply a childish playmate to Zelda and Malon. But I like to think that Child Link realistically is mature for someone his age but not quite mentally a man yet so to speak, but he would be definitely on his way in the future.

As for the Skull Kid, I remember reading a good article on the ZU forums on a theory that it was the Skull Kid that Link was seeking out and not Navi. But I found it ironic that you can actually kill the Skull Kid for a big orange rupee as an adult in OOT. Its still a plausible theory though.

BTW..I really like the anime style of Links character in this manga/comic. It seems to give him more personality than the in game character who is generally quiet and has that ridiculously frozen blank stare.

Yes there is: it's going to be released in English next year I believe. I still think it pales in comparison to the OoT Manga though in terms of quality. Anyways, I very much liked their exploration of Link's maturity that he seemed to lose in game.

To the original topic: a Link with that unusual maturity would likely catch Zelda's eye early. Considering other boys his age ( especially the arisotocracy ) would likely still be very much children. I don't see the likewise unusually mature Zelda being interested in them.

She's being raised to be bigger than herself...to be the ruler of a country. Link is growing up a hero. Both somewhat lonely and mature lifestyles. They have much in common and I can see them being drawn to each other.

I agree that Link and Zelda's close childhood friendship has a good possibility to blossom into romance when they both come of age. Its just Link generally being an outsider/social misfit within the Hyrule Court is likely to cause tension between him and the other more qualified gentlemen suitors. I put myself in the shoes of a random Hyrule gentleman suitor vying for Zelda's hand in marriage, and I would probably be annoyed with Links constant presence in the Hyrule Court with Zelda giving him unfair special treatment and praise.

Theoretically speaking I would care less if he is a hero with the unfair advantage of posessing the TOC. Seeing some guy in tights, with a goofy green outfit and a matching silly looking green hat with no valid qualifications in being a Hyrule Castle aristocrat would make me want to conspire with other more qualified gentlemen suitors to make Link lose face. In theory I would try to make Link look like a fool when it comes to eloquent speaking and courtly protocol to prove he has no business living in Hyrule Castle among the Hyrule nobility. For me as a theoretical gentleman suitor vying for Zelda's love, I would make an effort to run Link out of the Hyrule Court and tell him he should just go back where he came from and stay in the Kokiri forest along with his stupidly annoying looking outfit.

NOTE: I'm speaking theoretically as if I was Links competition for the sake of debate. I don't really feel this way at all.

Okay: I can agree that Link would cause tension between the suitors, mainly because of the affection he would receive from Zelda. But this whole "more qualified" title I can't agree on. What's of more value, wealth and blood or courage and virtue? Zelda is a perceptive girl, very good at discerning intentions. She would likely be drawn to Link's pure heart and courage over empty talk from nobility seeking her hand. ( And throne )
Any nobility that would do or think the actions you've described would likely not receive her attention at all, more likely be met with disgust. They can't win Zelda if she doesn't want them.

Thats true...but I wonder what Link would do to resolve the situation of rival suitors trying to embarrass and humiliate him for his soft spoken gentle nature, odd appearance, and his lack of courtly protocol. Would he just beat the living crap out of them as I would if I were Link or predictably have Zelda intervene in his favor??