Link and Zelda

            The Legend of Zelda is a series that has endured the test of time and five gaming systems. Nine games in total, (including GC Zelda), the story of Link and his beloved Princess Zelda has intrigued gamers of all ages. Some gamers believe that Link and Zelda are actually kin while others believe that they are destined for love. I am not here to argue in favor of either theory, but to discuss how the relationship between Link and Zelda has evolved throughout the series.
           Hyrule is in grave danger due to the evil doings of Ganondorf. In her desperate effort to hide the triforce of wisdom from Ganon, Zelda splits it into eight pieces. Other than this prelude to the first game, we do not hear from Zelda again until the end, in which she tells Link, “You have saved Hyrule”, or something of the sort. In The Adventure of Link, Zelda doesn't fare much better. She is trapped in a deep sleep cast upon her by an evil wizard. Again, Link does not hear from her until he defeats the final enemy and awakens her. At this point in time Zelda says to Link, “You have saved Hyrule. You are a real hero!”, or something of the sort. But wait! That's not all! Zelda holds Link's hand in an endearing manner. This is the first sign that perhaps Link and Zelda have more of a relationship than meets the eye.
           In Link to the Past, Zelda finally plays a bigger part than in previous games. Zelda communicates with Link using mental telepathy to lead him through his dangerous journey. Even if the princess spends most of her time trapped in Turtle Rock, she doesn’t let that stop her from helping Link along. From this, one can deduce that Link and Zelda have some abnormal mental bond between them. To further prove this point I will refer to an official Nintendo comic based on LTTP. In this comic Zelda says to Link that when she was in the clutches of Ganon, she felt so close to him in her dreams. But now Link seems so distant to her as he guards the triforce, and she will miss the time they spent together in those dreams. I would think that Zelda’s dreams refer to her mental telepathy with Link in the actual game. Zelda seems to have a longing to beclose to Link, but it can not be said if that longing is romantic or strictly a deep friendship.
           N64 ushered Zelda into a new era with the Ocarina of Time, which some gamers argue is the best in the series. With OOT, came a more developed relationship between Zelda and Link as they both became more developed as characters. (Though Link and Zelda are the main characters in the series, perhaps the least is know about them). When Link first comes to Zelda as a child they have both been having prophetic dreams about the encroaching evil on Hyrule. Later, Zelda communicates with Link using mental telepathy before he enters the Temple of Time, and is propelled seven years into the future. There, Link meets Sheik who is Princess Zelda in disguise. Before each temple, Link crosses paths with Sheik, and it’s not long before our hero begins to suspect something. It is obvious when Link begins to step forward to have a better look at Sheik. But our princess is too slick for old Linky Boy and she’s off in a flash. I think in his heart Link knows that Sheik is Princess Zelda because of his connection with her, but I cannot say that for sure because we as the gamers do not know what is running through Link’s head. However, Sheik says something interesting in one of these encounters. He mentions that childish affection will turn into deep love. Could it be possible that he his referring to Link and Zelda’s relationship? One cannot know for sure. Finally, at the end we have the classic scene with Link and Zelda floating in the clouds. Zelda seems very pained to have to send Link back to his original time, and holds his hand as he gives her the ocarina for a long time. But what is Zelda really feeling here? Is it regret? Sorrow? Love? Again, we do not know, but what we can tell is that Link and Zelda have a very strong relationship… perhaps one that is more than friendship, but falls short of love. But for now, until Miyomoto decides to do something about it, that is for you to decide.