10 powerful bonds that Link has forged throughout the Zelda series

“It’s dangerous to go alone.” These were the famous words spoken in The Legend of Zelda as the Old Man handed our hero a sword to combat the monsters. But over time, they have come to represent a far deeper truth: No man, not even the wielder of the Triforce of Courage, is an island. Link’s courageous spirit may be strong on its own, but the individuals he bonds with along his journey are the ones who temper it into an indestructible blade capable of vanquishing evil.

These characters inspire him with their kindness and resilience, pose challenges to help him grow, and heal him with love more potent than any Red Potion. And for that, Link owes them a debt of gratitude.

10. Saria

People come and go all throughout our lives, imprinting themselves on our hearts with varying degrees of success, but one individual that we are unlikely to ever forget is our childhood best friend. They are a touchstone of our youth, sharing in the joy, sadness, and wide-eyed wonder of growing up and helping us build a solid foundation for friendships in the future. For the Hero of Time, this special person is Saria.

Playful, compassionate, and wise beyond her years, Saria provides Link with a welcome respite from a childhood plagued by isolation and loneliness, encouraging him to ignore the bullies and recognize his inner strengths. In return, Link shields her from the evils of the world and helps her discover her true purpose. Their unbreakable connection holds strong even after their paths permanently diverge, and whenever the going gets rough, Link can recall the nostalgic song of the forest to restore a little pep to his step.

9. Colin

Link almost always begins his journey as a young, inexperienced warrior with few practical skills and little worldly knowledge, and only under the tutelage of various sages, scholars, and swordsmen does he acquire the tools necessary for basic survival. But in Twilight Princess, we get to see the roles reversed for a change. Now Link is a strong, confident outdoorsman acting as a mentor to a group of scrappy village children, with one small boy growing especially fond of him.

Colin is a bit of a black sheep within his peer group; not only does he share little in common with the other kids, but his shy, sensitive nature also makes him a target of derision. So, he seeks out Link’s company instead, nurturing a brotherly bond with the young goat herder and striving to live by his example. Link, initially protective of his timid protégé, comes to deeply respect Colin for his maturity, integrity, and outstanding display of courage. Thus, he can proudly pass on the mantle of leadership, assured that his people will be left in capable hands as he continues his adventure.

8. Marin

Fate has never been terribly kind to the spirit of the hero, but the Era of Light and Dark paves a particularly rocky road for the much-beleaguered boy of destiny. Born in a time of fear and instability marked by the defeat of the Hero of Time, Link from A Link to the Past bears witness to countless horrors in Ganon’s twisted Dark World, with few allies to turn to for support. So when Hyrule is cleansed of evil, it makes sense that its savior would leave to do a little soul-searching.

Wrecking his boat on the shores of Koholint Island may not have been part of the plan, but Link’s chance meeting with the lovely Marin turns out to be the perfect remedy for his weary mind. For Marin, Link embodies the mystery and wonder of the outside world; for Link, Marin represents the soothing simplicity of everyday living. The two friends complete each other, embarking on a charming adventure filled with mishaps, music, and mischievous fun. And while the ultimate loss of Koholint is heartbreaking for Link, thanks to Marin, he now has wonderful memories to help him finally find inner peace.

7. Grandma

When it comes to Link’s family, the Legend of Zelda games tend to go in one of two directions: either he is orphaned from the beginning with no other traces of shared blood to be found across the kingdom, or he gets to watch his guardians get cruelly ripped away from him early on in his journey. There are a few exceptions to this, but overall, the hero’s family portrait is stained by tragedy. That’s why Outset Link is so lucky to not only have a bright, precocious sister, but also an amazing grandmother to provide comfort and support even from afar.

Grandma has dedicated her entire life to raising two curious, resourceful children who take pride in their traditions and possess a strong moral compass. Their joyful energy keeps her afloat, so when they’re both whisked away to parts unknown, the light in her world is swiftly snuffed out. But Link, her dear, sweet little boy, isn’t about to let her wither away to nothing. His smiling face renews her strength, and Grandma reaffirms her purpose in life: helping her family stay healthy and happy. Now Link’s journey won’t seem quite so daunting, as he can always count on a warm bowl of soup filled with a grandmother’s love to reassure him that he is never alone.

6. The Hero’s Shade

Positive interactions with family members may be a rare commodity for Link, but what about directly interacting with his own past incarnation? So far, only the Ordonian farm boy has had the privilege of meeting his ancestor, a stoic warrior who slipped through the annals of history and has thus been forgotten by the world.

Having walked the path of the chosen hero long ago, the Hero’s Shade is the one individual who can empathize with Link as he makes painful sacrifices and endures overwhelming loneliness on his quest to save his homeland. His own regrets have kept him from settling into eternal slumber, so to heal his sorrows and prevent the same fate from befalling his descendant, the Hero’s Shade vows to pass on long-held secrets of combat to the next generation. By sparring with the former Hero of Time, Link learns to truly appreciate the noble blood that courses through his veins, as well as form a unique connection with a man who gave up everything to protect those he loved. Surely this proud legacy will aid him in the battles to come.

5. Groose

I know this one is a bit of an odd choice for Skyward Sword; our intrepid Skyloftian receives plenty of love and support from a number of different people in the sky and on the ground, and Groose definitely isn’t the first one in line to offer that to him. But learning from one’s rivals can be even more enlightening than learning from one’s friends, and I don’t think we give the lunkhead with the red pompadour enough credit for the essential role he plays in Link’s journey of personal growth.

From day one, Groose makes it his mission to heckle poor Link, believing him to be a lazy daydreamer who needs to “shape up” and act like a man. He isn’t entirely wrong, as Link has a habit of oversleeping and skipping flying practice, but Groose primarily does this to make himself look appealing to Zelda. Nevertheless, this does teach Link early on to be patient and calm in the face of adversity and to lead by example rather than pump himself up with endless bluster. He demonstrates this to his classmate later on, and Groose, inspired by the young man’s integrity and grit, becomes one of the hero’s staunchest allies. Their relationship is complicated, but they bring out the best in one another and make a truly amazing team.

4. Epona

The incredible kinship between man and beast should never be taken for granted. Animals may not comprehend the words we speak or the strange social customs we follow, but they do understand the language of compassion. Link’s gentle nature has helped him make friends with countless critters throughout the years, but the majestic white-maned horse known as Epona has bonded so deeply with him that not even death can tear them apart.

Epona and Link first meet when both are of a tender age, and while she behaves skittishly around him at first, the familiar lovely tune flowing through his ocarina is enough to convince her that the green-clad boy is worthy of her trust and loyalty. Despite the danger and hardships they encounter throughout Hyrule and Termina, Epona never falters in her dedication to her Hylian friend, bravely carrying Link across the rockiest terrain and providing invaluable companionship in his darkest moments. The story of the boy without a fairy trails off from here, but the spirit of the noble equine still refuses to abandon her master. Reborn in the Twilight Era, Epona returns to aid the hero once more, directly assisting the final battle to destroy the King of Evil.

3. King of Red Lions

Even within a cast of colorful, quirky oddballs who have accompanied Link across the generations, the King of Red Lions definitely stands out — and no, it’s not just because he’s a talking boat. While generally friendly and informative, the King of Red Lions also comes across as strangely aloof, with a formalized way of speaking and an extremely dry sense of humor. He never hesitates to chastise Link for foolish or clumsy behavior, and for the first half of the voyage across the Great Sea, one can’t help but wonder if he feels any warmth toward the boy at all.

There is a method to his madness, however. The former King of Hyrule knows that a new kingdom must rise from the ashes of the old, with the bearers of the Triforce of Wisdom and Courage leading the way. But Link is such a naïve, sheltered child who has only known a carefree life, and destiny isn’t going to wait for him to grow up. For the future of the world, the King of Red Lions must push this boy to recognize the gravity of his mission and unlock his potential before all hope is lost. But it isn’t all about duty, either. The King’s final moments illustrate just how much these two mean to each other, and in the end, it is his companion’s loving sacrifice that truly shapes Link into a man.

2. Midna

The King of Red Lions may be a bit stern toward Link, but compared to the diminutive Princess of Twilight, he’s just about the cuddliest teddy bear you’ll ever meet. Sarcastic and self-righteous, Midna delights in hurling barbed remarks at the hapless hero-turned-wolf and readily dismisses his concern for his friends’ welfare. She is utterly disgusted by the people of the Light World, believing them to be selfish and weak-willed; thus, she only wishes to use them as pawns for her scheme to take back control of the Twilight Realm. Meanwhile, Link sees the spreading Twilight as an evil blight upon the land and wants to eradicate it before Hyrule is cloaked in darkness.

But as trust slowly builds between them, Link and Midna open each other’s eyes to the wonders of their respective worlds. Link demonstrates that Light Dwellers are capable of great bravery and altruism, and Midna helps the young warrior recognize that her own people, despite their sinister origins, only desire peace. Their tentative alliance evolves into an outstanding partnership that is multilayered, poignant, and honestly quite difficult to capture into words. Light and dark are inextricably intertwined, and whenever the shadows seem too oppressive for Link in the future, he can be comforted by the knowledge that without darkness, he wouldn’t know the tranquil beauty of twilight.

1. Princess Zelda (Breath of the Wild)

To tell the truth, the relationship between the Spirit of the Hero and the Goddess incarnate rarely strikes a chord with me. In most cases, the red string of fate is the only thing binding them together, as well as a shared goal of bringing peace to their homeland. Even in Skyward Sword, where the Skyloftian children share a sweet emotional connection, we discover that Hylia orchestrated it from the very beginning, using Link’s affection to spur him toward his destiny. So far, Breath of the Wild is the only instance where I felt that, even without divine intervention, Link and Zelda would have ultimately found each other.

Zelda, angry and overwhelmed by her inability to unlock her holy powers, scorns Link’s presence at first, viewing him as nothing more than a reflection of her own shortcomings. But when she lets her guard down and Link relaxes the formality of his role as her protector, they discover in each other a kindred spirit who understands the pressure of living up to the expectations of others. Link provides a safe space for Zelda to vent her frustrations and explore her more scholarly interests, and Zelda gives Link the freedom to drop his stoic persona and express himself more openly. But most importantly, they find strength and solace in one another in moments of deepest despair, and it is this bond that proves to be their ultimate salvation. Link owes his very life to Zelda’s unconditional love, and as his memories of her return 100 years later, this love will reawaken his inner light and help it shine upon Hyrule once again.