When asked which incarnation of Princess Zelda is their favorite, most people who I’ve talked to would answer with Skyward Sword, Ocarina of Time, or Breath of the Wild. While there has not been an iteration of the Hylian princess that I did not like, my personal favorite is usually never mentioned.
Twilight Princess’s Zelda has a very special place in my heart as my favorite version of the character, much like Link from this same game does as well. She’s scarcely in the game which is often the number one criticism she receives as to why she is not as memorable, but to me, this alongside her regal appearance only made her seem more ethereal. Her presence was special and unique, and those occasions where I got to see her were all the more special because of how rare they were.
You only interact with Zelda on four separate occasions during the course of the game, but within those brief moments, she made an impact on me. Kindness and compassion radiated from her during these in-game moments, which stuck with me even as an adult. From the beginning of the story, we see the sacrifices she has made for her country.
In a flashback sequence, Zelda stands alongside her soldiers, sword in hand, ready to face the threat of Zant and his twilight beasts. However, they don’t stand a chance. Hyrule’s soldiers are quickly outmatched, tossed aside without a second thought. As these soldiers hang on for dear life, Zant offers a choice: surrender or die? Thinking only for her people, she drops her sword and surrenders her land to the Usurper King.
There are those who might think this decision foolish, but even though her kingdom fell into the eternal twilight, countless lives were spared due to her actions. Even though the people were scared and afraid, totally unaware they had become mere spirits, Zelda knew deep in her heart that there may be a way to save them, even if she didn’t know exactly what, or who, that would be.
We can see that her compassion is strong with how she puts her people first, but it is when Midna is in her hour of desperation that Zelda’s strength shines most of all. Link and Midna enter Zelda’s chambers when Midna immediately collapses. Zelda is there from the start and lays out her hand to comfort the dying imp. Midna’s only concern is to help Link and saving the world of light, and with this, Zelda knows Midna’s true identity as the Princess of Twilight. Zelda sympathizes with her, knowing the struggles of failing to save her own people, and aids Midna by giving her everything she has: her life.
As a 12-year-old first playing this game, I legitimately thought she was done for. I know my time with her was already brief, but perhaps that was why I was even more saddened by her sudden disappearance. Who would give me words of wisdom from this point on? Worst of all, now I could never save her. All I desired was for her to be freed from her prison and for Link and Zelda to save Hyrule together. Little did I realize that her sacrifice did just that.
Zelda may not have been there physically, but without her sacrifice, Midna would not have been able to guide Link. Midna wouldn’t have been there to share her knowledge or use the power of the fused shadow to put an end to Zant. By lending Midna her life, Zelda did help save all of Hyrule, even if she could not be there to witness it herself. To this day I’m still not certain if Zelda knew that she could be revived, but I like to think that she would have willingly given everything she had regardless.
It was a long while before we’d encounter Zelda again. Midna teases us from time to time that she may be able to be saved, but there are many challenges still ahead. The final trial approaches where we must return to Hyrule Castle once more. Zelda is waiting at the top, but when we reunite, her body has been taken by Ganondorf and hangs lifelessly over the throne. Not only that, but Ganondorf then possesses her, forcing us to fight the one we’ve been trying to save all this time.
Admittedly this was a hard battle for me. Not in the way of difficulty as the fight itself was relatively simple, being a form of the Ganon volley we all know by now. But it was hard for me to fight Zelda. I know she was possessed and it was not of her own will, but it didn’t feel any less wrong attacking the one who I had been trying to rescue for so long; but that was why I had to fight. If I could expel Ganondorf from her physical form, perhaps there was a way I could still set her free.
After landing the final blow, Midna takes over and rids the evil presence from Zelda’s body. Link smiles in relief once Zelda is safe, and even though there was another battle to come quickly, I too felt that same relief. Once Ganondorf was taken care of, I would be able to help Zelda and ultimately all of Hyrule.
Beast Ganondorf is defeated by Link and Midna and that’s when it happens. Zelda’s life force returns to her and she is alive and well. Midna is speechless, not knowing what to say after all that has happened, but Zelda knows the contents of her heart. More than ever, she understands the suffering of the Twilight Princess and comforts her with words of sympathy.
The reunion is cut short as Ganondorf revives as an unholy entity. Reminded of the sacrifice that Zelda made for her, Midna decides to take the risk in the hopes that her friends may live. Link and Zelda are teleported to Hyrule Field where they watch the destruction of Hyrule Castle. Amidst the ashes, Ganondorf returns, Midna’s helm in hand, and it is then that Zelda finally joins forces with Link to save the realm of light.
Zelda calls upon the Spirits of Light for their aid before humbly requesting Link to help her one final time. Link holds out his hand to her and she takes his in return. I’ve mentioned how this scene is my favorite from any Zelda game, and there are so many reasons why. Both Link and Zelda have lost a dear friend to their greatest foe yet. They have but a short moment in time to prepare for the battle to come, and yet in a few simple words and an act of sincerity, they are ready. Together they know they can accomplish their goal and bring peace to Hyrule once again.
Zelda fights alongside Link until the point where Ganondorf cuts off Link from all else and duels him to the end. I admit, I felt a little teased when Zelda’s official art was released, sword in hand and we did not get to see her fight, so even though this battle was probably one of my least favorites in the game, it was worth it to have Zelda fight alongside our hero and show that she is not just strong within her heart, but a powerful warrior as well.
In the credits we see the trio one final time, saying farewell to Midna as she departs for the Twilight Realm. Zelda shares how she believes that they were destined to meet and how she now understands that the land of the shadows is just as important as the one in the light. With that, Midna commends her, stating “Your words are kind, and your heart is true. If all in Hyrule are like you… Then maybe you’ll do alright.”
I fully believe Midna’s words are true, not just in terms of the game, but can be applied to reality as well. While I’m sure many of us were brought up to be kind and do good, sometimes without an example, we can struggle with what that really means. For me, Zelda was that example that I wanted to follow. Her kindness and sacrifice helped show me what love is; whether it be for friends, for your country, or even to strangers you haven’t met. Twilight Princess’s Zelda may be a fictional character, but she was also a role model who showed me the kind of person I wanted to be.
