Zelda

Princess Zelda is caring and concerned about the safety of others. She treats Link with respect, despite the fact that he would be considered "below" her. A Gossip Stone describes her as being a tomboy, as would later be made obvious through her alter-ego, Sheik. When Zelda is older, she has grown in wisdom and tries her best to help in the saving of Hyrule. Parading around as Sheik shows that she is strong-willed and courageous, as she stays in Hyrule even though Ganondorf may find her.

In-Game

Once Link leaves Kokiri Forest, his next destination is Hyrule Castle to meet "The Princess of Destiny." Although surprised to see him at first, Zelda is elated once she realizes he is the person seen in her dream. She shares with Link her premonition and asks him to help her stop Ganondorf from obtaining the Triforce. Link agrees, and begins his quest to find the three Spiritual Stones needed to open the Door of Time. However, by the time he gathers the stones, Ganondorf has raided the castle and Impa hurries to escape with Zelda. Before getting too far, Zelda throws the Ocarina of Time to Link, who is standing outside the city gates.

After seven years, Zelda, disguised as Sheik, is the second to greet him after he is released from the Sacred Realm. Sheik explains to Link about awakening the Sages and sets him off in the direction of Kakariko, then to the Forest Temple. Link meets Sheik again at the Fire Temple and Ice Cavern, then later out by Lake Hylia where they watch the water rise. When Link returns to Kakariko, he discovers the village is under attack and, spotting Sheik, rushes to the well. Sheik warns Link to stay away, but (of course) he doesn't. The shadow monster lifts Sheik into the air and throws him on the ground, then turns its attention to Link. The screen goes black and when the camera refocuses, Sheik is tending to Link, who was probably slammed against a wall. After making sure he's okay, Sheik informs Link that Impa is the Sage of Shadow and that she needs help sealing the well monster. So, off Link goes to the Shadow Temple.

Finally ready to venture into the last temple, Sheik teaches Link the song necessary to enter the Spirit Temple as a child. Link meets with Sheik one last time at the Temple of Time, once all six Sages have been awakened. There, he finally reveals himself to be a she; Princess Zelda. Zelda tells Link that she is the Seventh Sage and that both of them have a piece of the Triforce. She then goes on to brief him on how to defeat Ganondorf. Zelda gives Link the Light Arrows, but can explain no more, for Ganondorf has found them and imprisons Zelda in a crystal.

Link fights his way through Ganon's Castle to reach the tower where Ganondorf is keeping Zelda. Link battles Ganondorf until he is defeated and Zelda is released. However, the tower begins to collapse and Link must follow Zelda outside to safety. Their happiness is short-lived once again when they hear a loud clang come from the rubble. Link pushes in front of Zelda and slowly heads toward the noise, discovering that Ganondorf is still alive. Another battle ensues, but this time, Ganon is much stronger and Link is without the Master Sword, which was struck from his hand when Ganondorf transformed.

Once Ganon is weak enough, Zelda uses her power to contain him, while Link delivers the final blow. Zelda, with the help of the other Sages, seals Ganon away in the Sacred Realm, returning peace to the land. Yet the princess is not satisfied with this ending and wishes to return Link to his childhood so he can regain his lost years. Link hesitates, but hands the Ocarina to Zelda.

Young once again, Link sneaks into the courtyard to visit Zelda, who gasps, surprised to see him.

Months later, before Link embarks on his journey to find Navi, Zelda gives Link the Ocarina of Time. Praying for his safe return, she teaches him the Song of Time, saying it reminds her of them.

Final Note

Zelda and Link's personalities seem to be fairly the same, as both are well mannered and sincere. Although a bit happier when she's little, Zelda's attitude doesn't change much when she's older, and neither does Link's. They are both adventurous; Zelda learns how to fight in the ways of the Sheikah, and risks being discovered by Ganondorf by following Link around. ...And Link does the adventure thing by saving the world.

Link agrees to help Zelda from the beginning and Zelda immediately trusts Link with the Ocarina of Time and all of the stories passed down through the Royal Family. When Link exits the Chamber of the Sages after seven years, Zelda makes sure she's the first person he encounters. It's obvious by how much she follows him around that she's concerned with his safety, but also she needs to point him in the right direction. After Link restored the Water Temple and the water in the lake rose, Sheik seemed to linger a bit longer than necessary, standing behind Link, simply watching him. Throughout the game, Link trusts and listens to Sheik, and doesn't seem that surprised when Zelda reveals her true identity. When Ganondorf captures Zelda, Link pounds on the glass cage as a last resort to save her. Later, after the tower collapses, Link pushes Zelda behind him when a noise is heard, shielding her from harm.

In the flash back in Majora's Mask, even though Zelda's memory of what happed in OoT is unclear, she feels like she's "known him forever," and once again trusts him with the Ocarina of Time. And of course, she adds the "This [song] reminds me of us." Hmm...

Considering what they've been through, there's bound to be some kind of bond between them. I think, given time, a deeper relationship could develop.