Ah, love. It’s a chaotic blend of emotions that make the heart stop and go. And it’s no different in Hylian culture than it is here in the world outside the console. Some moments spark affection for a character, others sting at the chest with a bittersweet jab. So whether you have a Link or Zelda or in the middle of adventuring, We hope this list of romantic moments from Legend of Zelda will have you thinking romantic thoughts for Sweetest Day. And hey, if all else fails, it’s a great excuse to just pick up some chocolate rupees to share or enjoy all to yourself.
Princess Ruto and the Soul Sapphire- Ocarina of Time
I get that it’s kind of odd what they try to do setting up a interspecies relationship between two kids, but this is the kind of stuff that is timeless, even for Ocarina of Time. You’ve got that teasing, playground style flirting in Lord Jabu Jabu’s belly, but once you break outside of that boss battle Link finds himself in deeper water with goo goo eyes and a knowing smile on Ruto’s face. So, as a token of affection and as a thank you, she gives him the Zora’s Sapphire in hopes that he’ll remember her for years to come. Link might not, but she certainly does seven years later. I know there is that stereotype of women never forget, but this takes the cake.
But setting the future aside, young people still do this. They give something seemingly small to someone they like when it usually turns out to have deeper meaning. I know that I did growing up. Sometimes it seems simple, childish, and unrealistic, but then there are some people that see turning down a priceless sapphire heirloom unrealistic. As long as Link doesn’t drop it to the bottom of the ocean like the old lady at the end of Titanic, I think he’ll be safe.
Marin and Link- Link’s Awakening
Link has a thing for musicians, harp players especially. In Link’s Awakening, he is saved from a ship wreck by a lovely girl that kind of looks like Zelda named Marin. Now, Marin has some great qualities. She is caring after creatures and Hylians alike, she likes bringing joy to others, and considering they live in a place that is controlled in the mind of a thing called The Wind Fish she’s pretty good conversation. She and Link have a great time, even have a photograph of them taken together. You like her well enough to support her in her music and survival.
She’s got dreams and ambitions, and those are good things to have. But when your dream is to become a seagull and bring happiness to others through singing? Sweetheart, despite the turning into a bird thing being nutty, of all the birds to pick for song quality you chose a SEAGULL?
Hyrule PSA: There are nice enough people in the world, but everyone’s got limits. Stay away from the crazies. Even reserved Renado the Shaman from Twilight Princess knew better to mix with the robust Telma.
Yetis from Twilight Princess
Apparently, if Link needs help being a total ladies man, he needs to take notes from Yeto, the Yeti from Twilight Princess. This adorable snowman is a Hyrule success story. He’s got one swanky frozen mansion (that’s monster infested, but still pretty classy), he is a master log boarder, and he’s the Yeti everyone wants to hang out with despite his English leaving a bit desired. But this monster takes nothing for granted. He WORKS for his woman. He wanders far and wide to get ingredients for soup to help her get better, he doesn’t let any man get in between him and his woman ( I mean, he nearly kills Link just by pushing him aside after he destroys her “Evil Mirror PMS” moment), and he knows how to calm her down from her mood swings. Lines like “you don’t need a mirror. Use my eyes” get the girls every time. So Link, take notes.
Midna and Link
It’s that kind of playground at recess relationship very much like Ruto’s, but on a deeper level. Midna teases, she’s bossy and vindictive, but as time goes on in you helping her come back to her former self, she begins to show a softer side; one that cares and trusts Link just as he eventually does for her. They build a bond that leads them to rescuing both Hyrule and the Twilight realm. And as Ganondork is defeated and light returns to Hyrule, the shadow Imp you knew is now the Twili Queen she was meant to be. And there is that moment, that sliver of seconds, where as she makes her way to return to the land that is hers, she looks at Link and hesitates.
As beautiful as life and love can be, sometimes these things can’t stay. You can pick your battles and sometimes your losses, but not always. There may be some regret on both ends, but the time spent with one another outweighs all of it. Enjoy what was had; don’t dwell on what was lost or could have been.
And speaking of time well spent…
Doomed Lovers from Majora’s Mask
If you’ve done the side quests for the masks, you should know these two pretty well. Kafei is turned into a ten year old by Skull Kid before his wedding and hides out of fear and embarrassment from his fiancé Anju. Link’s quest is to help them get together and stay together until the final night. It’s one of the hardest side quests in the game, but worth it for the masks if not for the sake of love. Anju could flee, but with letters and a pendant Link gives her from Kafei, she recalls her promise to wait for him and keeps it. At the end of your long journey with them, they combine masks, give Link The Couple’s Mask, and await the end of their world in each other’s arms. The moon will land on them any second, and they can’t think of any other place they’d rather be as long as it’s together.
For me, these two mean quite a lot on the emotional scale. I’m engaged to the love of my life. He lives half the world away. As you can imagine, we have more than a fair share of obstacles between us. But no matter what happens, no matter how long the quest or how we choose to spend what time we have, we’ll be together in the end. And we decide for how long. And, like them, our choice is to be together until the end of all things.
So what do you think, readers? Any good, romantic moments not on the list? Got any tips for Link on how to deal with all the ladies he has chasing him? Write them in the comment section below!
