10 times someone other than Link was the hero in The Legend of Zelda games

Heroes inspire us all, whether they come from real life or fiction. Who doesn’t love a great underdog story? Our beloved Link is the epitome of what it means to be a hero. But sometimes, even Link needs extra help. It’s nice to know when someone has your back. After all, it’s dangerous to go alone.

Let’s look back and remember 10 great moments in The Legend of Zelda canon when someone other than Link stood up to the plate in their heroic deeds to save what they treasured the most.

10. The Resistance

Everything had been going smoothly so far. After progressing through several challenges, the Hero of Twilight inches his way closer to the final battle atop Hyrule Castle. All of a sudden on a path between towers, he hears a “whir” and looks up to meet a fire arrow aiming for his head! But the deadly blow is intercepted and the assassin monsters are taken out. It’s the Resistance, Link’s loyal companions from Telma’s Bar. Their swift actions and encouragement cheer Link on to reach the end.

9. Oshus

Deep in the heart of the Temple of the Ocean King, Link and Ceila emerge victorious against the terrible monster Bellum. But then a great quake rocks the room, and the ceiling caves in! They try to escape but realize that the locked boss door has trapped them. (Darn dungeon mechanics!) A huge pillar crashes down on the young Hero of Winds. Is this finally the end? Will he crush to oblivion? But wait! Link is teleported in the blink of an eye. He lands on top of Linebeck inside the safety of his ship. It turns out that the old man Oshus is responsible for the timely rescue. As they would soon discover, there is more to Oshus than meets the eye.

8. Hilda 

Hilda introduces herself to Link as the Princess of Lorule shortly after she saves him from the disastrous Cataclysm breaking out. She guides Link with clues to find the Sages in Lorule, who help him get the Triforce of Courage. Unfortunately, Hilda’s heroism turns out to be part of an elaborate facade in her motivation to steal the Triforce. In spite of her evil manipulations, though, her questionable ethics are understandable. What royalty wouldn’t be desperate to keep her kingdom from tearing apart? Such is the complexity of an anti-villain with good intentions.

7. Princess Zelda

All her life, Princess Zelda was taught it was the Hero’s responsibility to protect her at all cost. But when everything crumbled around her and Link fought for her to the end, she realized something powerful. She wanted to save Link simply because she loved him. The desires of Zelda’s heart finally broke through. The power she had sought for years awakened. Her kingdom was lost, but hope was not. The Triforce granted Zelda’s wish. In an ironic twist, the princess became the hero. She held Ganon captive for 100 years until Link could recover and finish what they started.

6. Prince Komali

The young Rito prince had a lot to overcome for his age. Grief from his grandmother’s passing and not being able to safely earn his wings crippled Prince Komali. But when Link slew Gohma and calmed Valoo, his heroic actions inspired Komali to soar in confidence. The next time we see Komali, he does just that. With his full-grown wings, Komali swoops into the heart of danger and carries Link away from Ganondorf before he gets roasted in a fantastic show of flames. Komali will no doubt become a fine Rito Chief one day.

5. Midna 

When Midna first met Link, she couldn’t care less about the World of Light or any of his kind. But oh, how that changed by the end of Twilight Princess. Midna’s strong ties with Link and Zelda came forth in their final showdown with Ganondorf. Midna warps them away to safety before she unleashes her Fused Shadow fury against Ganondorf’s fiery magic. Though the attack ended in a violent explosion that destroyed Hyrule Castle (Sorry, Zelda), it bought the duo enough time to summon the Light Arrows and turn the tide in their favor.

4. Sheik

Sheik’s heroism is seen in action when he helps Link recover from the invisible Bongo Bongo, but there are times when Sheik is a hero off-screen, too. He saves Princess Ruto from the encroaching ice in Zora’s Domain. He also gathered valuable intelligence from Ganondorf’s forces under the radar while waiting seven years for the Hero of Time to awaken.

3. King Dorephan 

Most people would know Mipha and Sidon’s father as a great source of encouragement for Link, but it turns out that the deeds of this big-hearted Zora king are even more remarkable. Zora history credits him as their great hero in winning a past war with the Lizaflos. If that’s not enough, King Dorephan even defeated an invading Guardian during the Calamity — all by himself!

2. Linebeck

Many Zelda characters have displayed courageous moments, but perhaps the greatest example comes from the sailor Linebeck. Link’s innocence rubs off on the cowardly old salt throughout the story, in spite of Linebeck’s selfishness toward the “green parrot.” In the end, something amazing happens. Linebeck reacts and stabs the vile Bellum with the Phantom Sword as the monster revels with Link and Tetra in its clutches. The enraged Bellum possesses Linebeck, further highlighting the captain’s sacrifice. It’s a great moment that shows how even selfish characters can do big, heroic things. 

1. King Daphnes 

If any king in the Zelda universe could have won a “Save the Hero” award, it would be King Daphnes. The ghostly King of Red Lions delivered the young Hero of Winds out of Ganon’s clutches in at least three perilous situations, leading up to one of the most epic endings in the whole franchise. As a result, King Daphnes became a hero in his own right. By letting go of his regrets, he made a noble sacrifice for the future of his kingdom.