Did no one see what she says at the end? I feel as if no one understand how Tatl, and actually the same for Midna, feel about Link.
They have strong personalities, for this reason, they don't want to show this softer side, you know? Who knows why, maybe they are just embarrased about it, or just don't want to let down this strong personality of theirs. But after Link leaves, after she tells him to go his way, she screams for him (though he doesn't hear), and Tatl says "Thank you...". It's not as if she hates him, she clearly cares and appreciates all he did, but she just has that strong type of personality that doesn't find it as easy to show.
And I know this is not related, but same with Midna. She clearly starts off by just wanting to use Link, and ends up creating a connection, a friendship with him (just like Tatl), but she keeps having this strong personality. And at the end of the game, it's clear she likes him, but she says that Light and Shadow can't mix, which is why she must break the mirror. Everyone called her mean for breaking the mirror after saying "See you later" to Link, though I think she said it in hopes that some day they'll meet again, but that she must break the mirror to prevent the bad events that happened from occurring again. And that's why she cries, cuz it's hard for her.
Anyway, got way off subject. Tatl cares for Link, she appreciates it was thanks to him that she got back to her sister and friends and all, but just can't show that appreciation (though it's clear it's there when we see how she says Thank you as he leaves).
Idk, I don't hate them, it looks mean at first sight, but it's sweet when you know how they truly feel, so yeah...