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Darulink is the friend ship between Link and Daruk from The Legend of Zelda fandom.
Canon[]
Breath of the Wild[]
Daruk was looking for a rock lunch during his walk when he sees Link fighting some monsters and rolls down the hill to help him, only for Link to have already defeated them. A monster almost ambushes Daruk, but Link managed to save him, much to Daruk's amazement, which Daruk notes that he might have already had a dopey look on his face and hopes Link didn't notice it. Later, Daruk learns his name and as he interacts with him, he learns that he has so much in common with him, from displaying Goron-like strength to having large appetites and grew to like him to the extent where he decides to dub him a "sworn brother" of the Gorons. Daruk is used to a simple lifestyle and eating rocks on a regular basis, Daruk is confused to see Link eating fruits, vegetables, and meat which he does not realize that it is normally on the Hylian menu and gave him his favorite Rock Roast and is happy to see that Hylians can eat Rock Roasts as well.
Daruk and Link attends the Champion inauguration ceremony with the other Champions as well and as they take a break at the gazebo outside Hyrule Castle where he remarks that ceremonies can be tiring. Once Mipha makes a request to Zelda, Purah assembles the Champions at a spot for a photo shoot and instructs everyone to get into position and snaps the photo, but Daruk pulls everyone in at the last moment. Daruk notes that he hasn't seen Link in a while and is happy to see him again and learns that he is going to be Princess Zelda's appointed knight and hears stories that Link used a pot lid to parry a berserk Guardian's lasers against it, which impresses him even more. Daruk suggests that Link should have a ceremony to promote Link to appointed knighthood, but when it happens, Zelda's defeated tone made for a very dreary atmosphere and comments on that, with Revali reminding him that it was his idea in the first place until Urbosa hushes them.
Daruk was having trouble controlling Divine Beast Vah Rudania while the rest of the Champions fared much better and asks Link for advice, only for the latter to push him onto Vah Rudania so they can explore aimlessly all day and eventually Daruk managed to gain better control over the Divine Beast. Daruk ended up learning that experience is the best teacher and is grateful for it. As they go around Death Mountain, Daruk tells Link that he is getting better at handling Vah Rudania and to tell the Champions to eat their gravel if they want to keep up with him and while he does not fully understand the whole Calamity Ganon thing, but promises that he will fight it to the death and backslaps Link, making the latter jump forward and congratulates him on being Zelda's knight and how much of an honor it is to protect a member of the Royal Family. They hear a sound, with rocks rolling down the hill with a large boulder heading their way and Daruk uses a barrier at the last moment to protect Link and himself from collision. Daruk tries to get back to the topic, but the abnormal activity ended up concerning him.
Daruk notes that he is aware that all Link does is protect the princess as of late and is happy to learn that the two of them are getting along much better than they were earlier as the princess realizes that she does have something in common with Link after all, but in a slightly different way, while Daruk believes that it is their food preferences rather than the responsibilities they have to carry. Later on, Daruk and the Champions meet with Link and Zelda at Mt. Lanayru and learn that all was not well with her training, and shortly after, Calamity Ganon appeared, and Daruk instructs the Champions to go to their Divine Beasts and Link to go to Hyrule Castle. Things take an unfortunate turn when Calamity Ganon seizes the Divine Beasts and kills Daruk and the Champions with the Blight Ganons, while Link is seriously injured to warrant a trip to the Shrine of Resurrection while Zelda uses her power to imprison Ganon.
After Link is revived a century later, he goes out to free the Divine Beasts and with Yunobo's help, he gets inside the corrupted Vah Rudania where Daruk instructs him to activate the terminals and eventually the Main Control Unit. Fireblight Ganon appears, and Daruk explains that it was the cause of his death and cheers Link during the battle. After Fireblight was killed and Link starts the Main Control Unit, Daruk appears to thank him for restoring control of Vah Rudania back to him and apologizes for everything that happened and gives him Daruk's Protection before saying good-bye and telling him to give his regards to Zelda.
Once Link completes EX Champion Daruk's Song, Daruk is happy to see that Link passed the trials and if he saw Calamity Ganon again, he should give him a message, "Good riddance, bacon breath." Once Calamity Ganon breaks out, Daruk and the Champions open fire to weaken it.
Age of Calamity[]
When Daruk is visited by Link, Princess Zelda, and Impa, he is happy to help out with their plan, but Vah Rudania is in a tricky spot which is in Death Mountain's crator, meaning they will have to make the long climb up just to get there and rallies them to get up there as soon as possible. After defeating the Igneo Talus, Daruk will be so impressed by how much he has in common with Link in regard to eating as well as their Goron sized strength, he opts to settle their friendship as sworn brothers. After Daruk uses Vah Rudania to defeat the monster forces, Daruk happily accepts his call to action and notes that Link must be starving and hands him a Rock Roast which Link eats with a straight face, surprising Zelda and Impa which Daruk forgot to bring extra for them and promises to bring more next time. Daruk is the first person to stand up to Revali when he starts picking on Link, followed by Urbosa stopping him from further provocation.
After Daruk is saved by Yunobo from Fireblight Ganon, Link is given extra time to reach there and destroy the blight. Daruk does not hesitate to thank Link for his help in backing him up by slapping him on the back before doing the same thing to Yunobo.
Fanon[]
Daruk's friendship with Link is quite beloved for echoing the blood brotherhood between Link and Darunia from Ocarina of Time, with Daruk consistently calling him "little guy" as a sign of respect and admiration. Though it is not confirmed whether Link and Daruk are actually blood brothers, plenty of people headcanon them to be, arguing that it only adds to their bond. On AO3, there are currently 75+ written works. This is Daruk's most popular friendship overall and they find it hilarious that Daruk slaps him in the back which makes him jump forward and even funnier when Daruk assumes that Link is enjoying the Rock Roast and thinks Hylians can eat them too.
Romantic fanworks between them do exist, but even people who support it openly admit that it's a case of wish fulfillment.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Daruk & Link tag on AO3
