In a way I have already answered this, because much like who my favorite Link is, my favorite Zelda is also from Hyrule Warriors. So guess where my favorite pairing comes from?

You have the badass Link who was simply training to be a knight when destiny found him, you have a princess who is actually a fighter. Their story in Hyrule warriors is one of my favorites, probably the best one yet, because they fight together through the whole game. It also fits the head canon I have for Ocarina of Time that Sheik would actually fight along side Link for a while.

Their relationship is also great. While there are hints of a romantic connections they aren’t obvious outside of the Cia/Lana obsession. It’s more clear that after the events of Warriors the two will be focused on rebuilding Hyrule, as well as establishing Link’s place within the Hylian army. The potential for a more rounded relationship in all ways is easy to see within those two.

I will go on record to say that a close second would be the Link and Zelda from Skyward Sword. I actually enjoyed that Zelda wasn’t a princess, though you could tell her father was more than just the head of the knight’s academy. While they are clearly old friends, have that same hinted romantic connection, and Link was already on his way to greatness, the fact that Zelda doesn’t really fight is what sets them back a peg.

With the advancement in their relationship from mere damsel and hero to partners in war, is makes me excited to see what the end of the year will bring us in Zelda Wii U.