Link and Zelda: A Deeper Look Into The Unspoken Bond Between Them

Link is not meant to have a personality. As detailed by his original creators, he is meant to be a blank slate, connecting the player to the game in a way that allows their mind to be creative, to insert words and emotions where there is none and have their own unique experience. Yet, Link’s personality seems to have taken shape, even if accidentally. 

At first glance, he is the stoic hero, staying strong in order “to silently bear any burden”. Yet over the years, he has become rather expressive, his facial features often showing emotions of determination, of concern, of sadness, even of amusement. He is humble, surprised when praise reaches him. He is able to grow, both physically and emotionally, to learn, and to adapt. He is able to hurt, often experiencing deep loss, whether it’s before, during, or after the events of a game. He even has a sense of humor, an example being his rather sarcastic replies in Breath of the Wild. But, most importantly, he is selfless, asking for nothing in return, despite all he has sacrificed.

During side-quests, all he receives are things to help him on his journey, whether it’s to save Hyrule, or Termina, or Koholint, or the Great Ocean, he expects nothing for himself. Finding or receiving rupees is purely accidental, them often residing in pots or tufts of grass. Even when he saves Zelda, he asks for no reward, he is happy to see her or Hyrule safe, often leaving Hyrule to peace at the end of the games, if not staying and helping Zelda to maintain that peace. Even in the instance that he has control over the power of the Triforce, as in A Link to the Past, a power that does what reflects a persons’ greatest desires, Hyrule becomes peaceful at his touch.

So really, Link’s character has been, since his debut in 1986, the ideal. He houses a raw and innocent selflessness and valor, vowing only to help others. He has a spirit that is unbreakable, and an empathy that is sorely needed in today’s’ society. The character of Link is a paragon of how we should relate to each other, with an unapologetic and willing selflessness, to do good because it will make others happy, and not oneself. 

Link has demonstrated this quality game after game, proving him to be an empathetic soul within a seemingly apathetic exterior. And, even then, his stoic qualities sometimes fade for a smile or a scowl. He fights for the safety of Hyrule and incidentally holds up to his very name bydoing so, linking it in unity and cohesion by not only defending it, but by bringing its’ people together. His courageous soul fights with determination and bravery against the likes of Ganon, and yet a heart beats within him that is capable of compassion and warmth.

The seventeenth recoverable memory in Breath of the Wild is a prime example of this, as it depicts Link choosing to save Zelda over himself, after being given a direct order from the Princess to do the latter. Link faces death bravely for the small chance that his Princess may be spared, and only thinks of her safety as he ignores her pleas. His duty as the holder of the Master Sword was to defeat Calamity Ganon, and yet he stands miles away from the castle, ready to die for Zelda.

Granted, his selflessness has its’ share of downfalls, being a main cause for Link’s selective muteness and other symptoms of PTSD, not to mention the dangerous risk of facing so many foes. 

He is the embodiment of altruism, loosely defined as performing actions for the well-being of another, even if that means risking the well-being of oneself.  Whether Link’s altruism is a byproduct of his empathy for the people he helps, his subconscious desire to alleviate his own negative feelings associated with PTSD, or is simply a pure and true version, he is a hero that I feel can be truly learned from.

Zelda, on the other hand, has many of the same qualities, however she is much more outspoken, with an unparalleled wisdom. Her altruism is more clearly defined, leaning itself more to the likes of beneficence, which is performing actions that have the general goal of benefiting others. Zelda’s beneficence is one that results from her obligation as a Princess of Hyrule and her desire to ensure the welfare of her kingdom, embodying it in her efforts to protect Hyrule, much like Link.

They both have similar burdens and expectations and though they go about staying strong in different ways, the distinct capacity for compassion they possess seems to only mirror in each other. Both Link and Zelda are unaccustomed to self-centered thinking because of their goddess-ordained powers and responsibilities and because it’s a part of who they are. Yet, the culmination of those aspects and what they both must face in every incarnation results in a shared trauma. There is a unique bond between them resulting from that trauma that only the other knows, and after keeping it bottled up inside, their only sanctuary, their only refuge is in each other. In fact, Link and Zelda’s complimentary similarities have led to the common belief that their relationship could be romantic as well as platonic.

What makes Link’s potential relationship with Zelda so unique is, admittedly, his selflessness. Link’s character is deeply rooted in empathy and how that empathy relates to others, and his relationship to Zelda is rooted quite similarly. Although there has been no overt evidence of romance on Link’s side, there is an admirable innocence to it all. Link saves Zelda and he doesn’t ask for a relationship, he doesn’t ask for a kiss, he doesn’t ask for intimacy, he doesn’t ask anything of Zelda because he respects her wishes and he respects her. All he wants is her and Hyrule’s happiness, and he exhibits true decency in not asking for anything in return. 

But really, Link and Zelda’s relationship contrasts todays’ ideas of what a relationship is, as “Zelink” is much closer to formal courting, especially considering that the setting of Zelda games resembles medieval times or the “middle ages” of our own history, where, specifically in the late middle ages, ideas of chivalry and romance began to emerge, the men especially putting a woman’s desires first. So, their potential courtship would be much more old-fashioned than modern premarital intimacy, as chastity in real life continued to be prioritized long until the 20th century. Skyward Sword, for example, details a Link who just wants to see their respective Zelda safe, that cares so deeply about her that it reminds us all that past primal desire and pleasure, there is love, a genuine love that is based not on greed of the self, but care for another.  Whether acquaintances, close friends, or lovers, Link and Zelda are not only bound by their fates (Demise’s curse) but by this sincere care shared between them. With each reincarnation, they forget themselves, who they used to be, but never each other, always finding each other again and again and wanting to see the other safe.

Their relationship is old-fashioned, and that is what makes it timeless. It’s no one-night stand, no desperate plea for the pleasures of the flesh. It is deeply rooted in true love and true care. It develops in the same way that people fall in love and I wouldn’t be surprised if they really have in a prior (or future) Zelda game. And, because of Link and Zelda’s’ selflessness, it would be honest, true, and beautiful.

What do you think? Are Link and Zelda’s characters truly selfless? What do you think of their relationship? Let us know in the comments below.

Alex Weber is a writer for Zelda Dungeon. Her favorite food is apple pie and she misses her cat dearly, as Alex is away from home at college. Her alias as a fan fiction writer is fatefulfaerie and she can also be found on twitter, instagram, and tumblr.

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