They conduce & lead to the state of enlightenment; in this sense are they links to awakening!
They are in, of and by themselves enlightened; in this sense are they links to awakening!

Establishing as the meaning of the Awareness Link to Awakening is to be directly known.
Examination as the meaning of the Investigation Link to Awakening is to be directly known.
Exertion of Effort as the meaning of the Energy Link to Awakening is to be directly known.
Intent Contentment as the meaning of the Joy Link to Awakening is to be directly known.
Stilled Peace as the meaning of the Tranquillity Link to Awakening is to be directly known.
Non-Distraction as the meaning of the Concentration Link to Awakening is to be directly known.
Even Ballance as the meaning of the Equanimity Link to Awakening is to be directly known.

They are enlightened in the meaning of root, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightened in the meaning of cause, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightened in the meaning of requisite, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightened in the meaning of purification, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightened in the meaning of blamelessness, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightened in the meaning of withdrawal back, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightened in the meaning of delivering freedom, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightened in the meaning of without fermentation, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightened in the meaning of silent solitary seclusion, thus are they links to awakening.
They are enlightened in the meaning of releasing relinquishment, thus are they links to awakening.

On the 7 Links to Awakening (Sambojjhanga):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Sun.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Peak.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Clothes.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Rare_Emergence.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Sequential_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Vast_Penetration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Fruits.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Unsurpassable_Seven.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/When_7_becomes_14.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/The_7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Leading_to_Enlightenment.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Cause_of_Knowledge_and_Vision.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Meaning_of_the-7_Links_to_Awakening.htm

Source (edited extract): Sariputta
Path of Discrimination: Patisambhidamagga.
Treatise on the Links to Awakening XIII.