Chapter 15: A Rito's heart
"We're here."
Zelda looked up in awe from her steed as we stood at the entrance of Zora's Domain as the stars shone down. Revali's face however was one of discomfort.
"I had almost forgotten what how magnificent it was." Zelda said.
"Come on, we speak to King Dorapheon and then stay the night." I answered.
Zelda nodded in agreement, Revali however was still unsure.
"I'll stay here."
"Revali, Lynels literally stalk this area and it tends to get more dangerous at night. It's a lot safer inside the domain. Please come with us."
Revali was acting very unlike himself, almost as if he was scared. I sighed.
"Just meet us in the hotel an hour after moonrise, you don't have to go anywhere else. We'll leave first thing tomorrow."
Revali nodded, not losing that scared look in his eyes. What was going on? Revali and I often visited Zora's domain all the time when I was a fledgling, what nightmares did the place hold for him? I faced forward and urged Epona to the nearest stable, beginning the end of another stage of our journey around Hyrule.
"You need not beg for alliance you already have. You need only ask, and I will use my armies in your assistance." King Dorapheon boomed.
As I had suspected, despite all that happened with Mipha, the relationships with the Zora had not soured as the king was more than willing to help when Zelda told him about our new defense strategy.
"Thank you for your kindness King Dorapheon. We look forward to fighting alongside you once more."
"No, thank you. You both have done so much for Zora's domain and for Hyrule, I am honored to be your ally."
I smiled as Zelda bowed in thankfulness, then I stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, if I may. Zelda, my brother Revali, and I are all weary from our travels. We would appreciate a place to stay for the night before we continue our journey to the Gerudo Town and then home."
"Revali? As in the Champion of the Rito that fought alongside both you and my daughter so long ago?"
I nodded.
"Yes, unique circumstances have revived him and made him a crucial part of my quest and my life in general."
"I see."
He didn't have to say it, I knew what he was thinking at least I thought I did.
"I'm sorry it wasn't Mipha, maybe I can…"
He raised his hand to stop me, then leaned forward almost to eye level.
"What happened to her was not your fault. Also, you said that Revali was revived under unique circumstances which I imagine will be quite hard to replicate if not impossible. Do not promise what you cannot deliver, even I would be foolish to ask that of you."
"There might still be some way, we can bring her back and possibly the rest of the Champions too."
He sat back up on his throne.
"Then I leave it to you whether or not you search for such a way. But I expect no promise and will except no promise from you for such a task."
"I understand, your majesty."
He clapped his hands twice. Two of the guards came in in response.
"Escort our guests to their chambers."
"Oh no, that won't be necessary your majesty. We told Revali that we would meet him at the hotel and…"
"Then meet him and retrieve him. Today though you live in the best comfort we can provide. It's the least we can do to honor the princess, the hero of Hyrule, and his brother."
I bowed.
"Thank you, your majesty."
I turned to leave.
"One more thing."
I turned back.
"It is good to hear you speak again."
I smiled.
"I figured it was time the Hero of Hyrule had a voice."
"I imagine Mipha would have liked to see this."
"I know she would have."
I looked to Princess Zelda. Her face was her typical royal composure. However, her eyes had a glint of sadness. Was it because heard me mention Mipha? It made me think, did I love Mipha? Maybe I did at one time by now I wasn't so sure, and it hurt me to see even that disturbance in emotion. But there was also, something else.
"Do you think it's possible? To bring them back I mean?" she said.
"To be honest, I don't know Princess. But I would be lying if I said I didn't miss them."
She nodded in understanding.
"Then perhaps we should look for a way."
"No, Ganon right now is far too important for such a task."
Using Revali's Gale, I flew up into the air, stopping in a hover.
"I'm going to find Revali, please stay here." I told her.
I went to the hotel to find he wasn't there. The person at the front desk hadn't even seen him. Hurriedly I flew to where we left him, to find he wasn't there either. Panicking, I flew back to Zelda.
"Revali's gone. I can't find him anywhere!"
King Dorapheon leaned forward.
"Sidon!"
Sidon came running and bowed in respect.
"Yes Father?"
"Secure the borders, nobody goes in or out without being noticed, scour the territory, find Link's brother before sunrise."
"It will be done."
Commotion erupted as Zora warriors and guards scoured the kingdom searching for a Rito that fitted the description I gave. I meanwhile was conducting my own search as close to the peak of the walls as I dared fly.
"Revali! Revali!"
No answer. I swooped down from my hover banking right hard as the cold night air whipped under my wings. I tried hard to focus on what was in front of me and keep my wings spread. As fast as I was moving, one mistake could be fatal or lead to serious injury. But I had to fly that fast, I had to find him. Stopping carefully, I pushed myself up into a hover. looking around frantically. And then I spotted him, he was calmly watching or looking at something. I heard a Zora guard run up behind me.
"Tell the others I found him."
He nodded and ran off. I gently dove and landed next to him.
"There you are, I've been looking all over for you. King Dorapheon has offered a stay in his guest chambers. Let's go."
Revali didn't answer, he didn't even move. I waved my hand in front of his face to get his attention. He turned to me with a neutral expression then turned back to whatever he was looking at in complete silence. Was something wrong? I looked up to see what he was looking at, it was Mipha. Or at least, her statue. I turned to see Revali with a forlorn expression.
"Beautiful, isn't she?"
"Yes, she was."
Got something out of him.
"Probably one of the kindest hearts in Hyrule too."
He nodded.
"She really didn't deserve her fate." Revali said.
"No, she didn't."
There was something I noticed something in the tone of his voice, he was trying to hide it but the pain was making whatever mask he was trying to put on slip just enough so I can see right through it.
"You loved her, didn't you?"
Revali didn't respond.
"Your silence tells me everything I need to know."
He sighed in defeat.
"What difference does it make, she only had eyes for you. In fact, I'm surprised you're not wearing your engagement gift right now."
"I decided not to. What I wear when is up to me."
I looked back at the statue.
"Besides it's been a hundred years, feelings change. Maybe I did love her, but now maybe I love someone else."
Revali looked at me in shock when I said this.
"Is it the Princess?"
I shrugged
"In truth, I'm unsure. And so what if it is? My duty comes first."
"If you keep having that outlook. You will die a lonely Rito."
He looked at me with a sly smirk.
"Surely family comes before duty. Even I know that."
I couldn't argue with that. I sighed.
"Just do me a favor. Don't tell her. I would prefer Zelda and I's relationship be professional until this whole Ganon mess is over and I'm sure what I'm feeling.
Revali's eyes widened in shock at my sudden (and somewhat accidental I admit) confession before going back to a mischievous smirk. He motioned for me to follow as he walked away from the statue.
"Come on Lover boy, you have to be well rested for your future wife."
"Revali."
"So, when can I expect news of an engagement?"
"Revali..."
"It's so adorable. The knight in love with…"
"Revali!"
He turned with a "innocent" smile.
"Don't make me knock you out cold so hard you forget your own name!"
"You wouldn't defend it like that if it wasn't true!" He said in a sing song voice.
I groaned in exasperation trying to hide my fiercely blushing face as he just laughed proudly strutting ahead of me. Revali may have been more open now and nicer to me, but the same time he hadn't changed a bit.