R O M A N C E
Here, I shall try my hand at deciphering possible love matches for Nabooru. But
I am sure that in the end, the findings will be unsatisfactory for those of you
who demand some form of an absolute endorsement. The truth is, I do not find any
of the possibilities terribly compelling, except for one. But even then,
circumstances hamper it. However, do read on if you are at all interested. Keep
in mind that I'm not looking to get into fandom fights.
NOTE: One of the pairings discussed is female/female. If that bothers you,
turn back now!
x GANONDORF, THE KING OF EVIL
One of the things we do not necessarily know about Nabooru is the nature of her
relationship with Ganondorf prior to his latest series of atrocities. Nabooru is
not a major character in the strictest sense, and therefore her past is treated
as secondary to most everything else. It is entirely possible that in the past,
she and Ganondorf had some kind of romantic relationship, something that
transcended partnership or even friendship. As the king of the Gerudo tribe, he
commanded the allegiance of the group's women, and Nabooru likely was one of
them. That is, until she disavowed her loyalty to him, due to his evil ways. If
we follow the canon, I do not see a likely romantic relationship during the
events of the game. Whatever happened between them most likely happened far in
the past, well before Nabooru became a "lone wolf" thief living on the outskirts
of Gerudo Valley and guarding the Spirit Temple.
x LINK, THE HERO OF TIME
One things that prompts this pairing is the unknown nature of Nabooru's
"promise" to Link. We all know about her final remark in the Chamber of
Sages: Nabooru says that if only she knew that Link would grow up to become such a
handsome man, she would have kept the promise she made seven years ago. Now, what was
this promise? I obviously cannot know for sure, but I would venture to guess it relating
to her making him a high-ranking officer in the tribe, one that worked perhaps for her
personally. Or, maybe she even considered offering her own hand in marriage, as a kind of joke.
If so, it would have been a nice echo of the same gesture by Malon's father Talon, after
you beat the cucco game. Whatever the "promise" was, it is clear that Nabooru is aware of her
attraction to Link. We of course do not know Link's feelings toward Nabooru; his
taciturn nature hinders such knowledge. But I think that if the circumstances had been different,
Link and Nabooru might have made a great team. They both are genuine fighters and protectors; they
both answer the call to arms in a great war, never asking questions, never looking back.
x ZELDA, PRINCESS OF HYRULE
This is a pairing that seems to be a favorite of
many fanfiction writers. And I suppose that in some ways, it could be a complimentary relationship. But that is rooted in the idea
that they are similar figures in this story. Both are highly influential personas among their respective constituencies: Nabooru
as second-in-command of her tribe and Zelda as the princess of Hyrule. And both
are prepared to lay down their lives for their people. There is nothing evident in the canon that would lead us to believe that they would be anything more
than comrades-in-arms. But as Sages fighting for the forces of Light, they have much in common. In this regard, I could perhaps
accept the possibility of some kind of deep mutual respect between them, but I am not as sure about romantic leanings.
