“So how are things going with you and him?” My boss nodded in the direction of a coworker who I had a pretty major crush on last year, of which the entire office knows about.
I smiled playfully, “Do you really want to know?”
He smiled playfully back, “No, not really. I don’t want to ruin the magic.”
Truth be told, this coworker and I are nothing more than friends. Although we have both made that abundantly clear to the rest of the office, people will inevitably believe what they want to believe — and people want to believe in love. Humanity thrives on hope, great expectations, and the idea of romance triumphing over all. The thrill of not really knowing is what keeps the gossip mill turning; keeps things exciting.
READ MORE: Review | The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (Switch)
This got me thinking about the greatest love story never told: Link and Zelda, from the The Legend Of Zelda franchise. Two seemingly star-crossed lovers bound to an eternity of reincarnation to defeat evil and save Hyrule. Nintendo teases us with glimpses of what could have been, or what may have already been, but never explicitly shows Link and Zelda professing their undying love or making out. Perhaps a little controversially, I don’t think they ever should. As my boss said, it would ruin the magic.
So on this very romantic day, as I sit alone in my gamer-girl den eating ice-cream, watching Bridget Jones’s Diary for the umpteenth time, and feeling sorry for myself, I’d like to take a moment to argue for why I think Link and Zelda should never end up together on screen — and why that’s a good thing.
Wherefore Art Thou Romeo?
Tragic love stories and forbidden romances have long captivated audiences, weaving passion and heartache into some of our most beloved tales. From Romeo and Juliet to Aragorn and Arwen, we find ourselves rooting for couples who must defy the odds to be together. But no great love story comes without sacrifice.
READ MORE: ‘The Sims’ Manual Featured a Reading List — And It’s Actually Pretty Brilliant
The tragedy of life lies in the tension between sacrifice and the pursuit of what we most desire. Just as Arwen surrenders her immortality for a life with Aragorn, and Romeo and Juliet choose death over a world without each other, Link and Zelda set aside their personal dreams for the greater good of Hyrule. Yet, it is through these sacrifices that their bonds grow even stronger, proving that true love is often defined not by what we gain, but by what we are willing to give up.
Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder
Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom demonstrate the individual growth of both Link and Zelda, with each character developing more fully apart than together. The story of these games would have been weakened if their growth depended on each other, rather than on their own inner strength. Zelda sacrifices her life twice, choosing to leave Link behind for the greater good of the kingdom, while Link repeatedly puts himself in harm’s way to protect her and Hyrule. These sacrifices strengthen their bond, drawing deeper responses from one another each time.
In the final moments of both games, Zelda expresses clear gratitude toward Link — and while we assume he feels the same, Link’s silent, stoic nature leaves much to the imagination. The fact that they don’t end up in a lover’s embrace as the credits roll keeps us on the edge of our seats. All the green flags are there, yet the lingering suspense makes their connection all the more compelling.
I See You Shiver With Antici…pation
Mystery and anticipation are the forces that drive a story forward, and The Legend Of Zelda has both. Unresolved tension keeps us emotionally invested, leaving us yearning for more. I can not count the endless hours I have spent daydreaming about Zelda and Link living happily ever after, and it’s those moments of wonder that have made for some of the most enjoyable experiences of my gaming life. Not to mention, the anticipation also makes for the best fanfiction.
READ MORE: Video games releasing in February 2025
Hope Is A Good Thing, Maybe The Best Of Things
… And no good thing ever dies. People are drawn to stories of hope.
Subverting expectations of a happy ending keeps the story fresh and exciting. The lingering hope that one day Link and Zelda might come together – without ever fully knowing for sure – adds depth and intrigue. An open-ended conclusion leaves room for interpretation, and the audience will fill in the gaps with their own expectations and ideas. Ultimately, this will make the story more satisfying for them, just as it is for my boss and co-workers.
The Legend Of Untold Love
The magic of the story of Link and Zelda lies in its lack of resolution. Like many classic tragic love stories, Link and Zelda’s relationship is one that is made better for the audience when it is filled with mystery, sacrifice, anticipation, and intrigue. It’s the best love story never told, and Nintendo should keep it that way.
Now if you’ll excuse me, this rom-com won’t watch itself and this tub of ice cream is melting.
