Chapter 20: Brothers in Wings

Link

I stirred awake as the morning sunlight peaked in through Teba's house, Looking over to see Zelda asleep in the hammock next to me. I smiled warmly, watching her continue to peacefully sleep before sitting up in my hammock and hoping down, putting back on my Hero's tunic, sword and shield, and… huh? Where was my bow? I looked around somewhat frantically, making sure to not wake the other Champions that were asleep on the floor. As I continued to search the house, I didn't find it, but I did find another one of the Hammocks empty.

"Revali!" I called out.

Oops, forgot everyone else was still sleeping.

"Oh, sorry about that guys," I said.

Now everyone, including Teba, Saki, and even Tulin were waking up.

"It's alright," Mipha said, stretching and yawning, "It is morning after all."

I caught Zelda as she hopped out of her Hammock, before Teba approached me.

"Everything alright Link?" he said.

I sighed in exasperation, "I just can't find my bow or Revali and I have a suspicion that the two are linked."

"He'll turn up, I'm sure of it. And as for your bow, well, you can always get a new one right?"

I raised an eyebrow at this, Teba was acting strange this morning, come to think of it with his disappearance so was Revali. What was going on?

Daruk sniffed the air pleasantly, "Mmm… Someone's cooking Rock Roast."

Rock roast? We don't have the supplies or temperature here to make Rock Roast. So what was Daruk smelling...? Then I smelt it too, it smelt like…

Oh no.

Grabbing a blizzard rod I ran to Kass' house with everyone following after me shortly. Turns out Revali had been there trying to cook the whole time, emphasis on trying as the whole pan was uncontrollably ablaze. Acting quickly, I put out the fire with the Ice rod and then dumped what was left of the contents over the side into the lake below. I then turned to Revali.

"Are you trying to burn down the village?"

Revali sighed, "I was just trying to make breakfast for you guys today."

"Does the name "Black Salmon Incident" ring any bells?"

"Why don't you just leave the cooking to me Revali? I'll have breakfast ready before you know it." Saki said before going to the pot and beginning to add ingredients.

My attention quickly turned back to Revali as I crossed my wings in preparation for asking my next question.

"I wasn't able to find my bow this morning, do you know anything about that?"

"Oh yea, that old thing? I threw it to the bottom of the flight range. The way it broke when it hit the ground, it was a wonder it survived as long as it did,"

"You did what!?"

I facepalmed with a groan.

"Revali, I kinda need that bow!"

"Why use that bow when you can use a real Rito Warrior's weapon?"

I looked to see that he was holding out his Great Eagle Bow.

I pushed it back to him, "I appreciate the offer, but I can't accept that, that's your bow."

He shook his head laughing slightly, "No, no, no… this is my bow," he said, pulling out another Great Eagle Bow, before putting it back, leaving only the one he was holding out to me.

"This one is a duplicate that I had made especially for you last night with Teba's help. Turns out his friend Harth is quite the bowsmith, he was able to match the my own bow in every way. Sorry about the secrecy, but I figured it would be better as a surprise."

I took the bow in my own hands and inspected it, it was exactly like Revali's down to the blue fabric tied to it.

"Now there will be no doubt about whose brother you are. Happy Birthday, Link."

Revali

The look on his face after I said that.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"Are you certain? Link's birthday might not be what it used to be, you know that right?" Zelda said.

I nodded, "This I know, but Link was 17 and a half exactly when the calamity hit, and not only was he in the shrine for exactly 100 years, but it's been exactly a half year since he awoke. And before you asked, it seems like that my familial connection to Link allowed me to see when he awoke before I was pulled back into bondage by a certain Ganon blight."

Everyone just looked at me in silence at this revelation, unsure of what to think.

I shrugged, "Come on Link? Have I ever gotten a date wrong?"

Link

I thought about it for a moment, was he right? I mean, I've never known Revali to miss dates. He had an internal calendar that was about as accurate as his bow aim. But was it true? Could I really be 18?

"So, what would you like to eat today, Monster Cake? Fruit cake? Apple Pie? I won't be able to cook it, but I'm certain that I can convince Saki."

I thought about it a little more before answering his question.

"Monster Cake will be fine." I said.

"Ok, but I think you will have to teach her how to make it."

"Of course," I said smiling.

Using a quill and a scrap of paper that I found on Revali's desk, I scribbled the recipe on the note before handing it to Saki who took it with a nod of understanding.

"So it's true? You're 18 today?" Urbosa asked.

I nodded, "I've never known Revali to mess up a date."

"Happy Birthday little guy!" Daruk said with a big pat on the back that almost knocked me down as I stumbled trying to keep upright.

"Thanks Daruk." I said.

"Well, shall we commence the rest of the traditions and festivities?" Revali asked.

"Of course."

"Then come with me to speak to the elder."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You're 18 right? In our culture that means you're officially a Rito warrior."

"Revali, I can't."

"And I can't really be a Knight of Hyrule, and yet I am. We're going to have you be an honorary warrior. Did you honestly think that I would take you away from your duties that easily?"

I… didn't know how to answer that…

"Wow, hurtful. Anyways, let's get you your braids, and appointed by the Elder. Don't worry, I'll work around your hat. I bet your sideburns would make good braids now that I think of it."

Revali was strangely excited about this, so who was I to deny him having some fun with me? So I set my sword, shield, and bow on the ground and sat down on the floor as Revali prepared for his part of the ritual


Having actually braided my feathers before, it didn't really hurt or was uncomfortable as Revali did it, but my goodness I forgot how long it actually took. After my presentation to the Elder and my very small ceremony (and by that I mean pretty much only Teba, Tulin, and Revali were in attendance), I walked back to Teba's house where all the others were eating a late breakfast. I turned to Zelda and opened my wings in a show-off way that was more like Revali's than my own, showing off my new Great Eagle Bow and my Rito warrior braids with my green tunic.

"Well, what do you think?"

It was Mipha who spoke up first, "It suits you."

"Very nice." Urbosa said.

"You look great, little guy!" Daruk added.

"There's the brother I know." Revali said.

I finally turned to Zelda who got closer to me before speaking.

"I don't think you've ever looked more like, well… yourself."

An interesting form of praise to be sure, but the way she said it and the genuineness behind it made it sink in more than any comment I had received on my new appearance thus far and it made my heart… Well, it doesn't take a genius to guess. Before we even knew what was happening, my face was moving closer to hers as she followed suit, possibly without noticing what was going on. Soon enough, our beaks met in a Rito version of a Hylian kiss. No one around us made a sound as we quickly and yet naturally finished pulling our faces only a few inches away from each other while still remaining in each other's wings. She was blushing as we looked each other in the eyes, but her smile betrayed her feelings of affection towards me. I smiled warmly, reciprocating her feelings as I felt myself blush as well. It suddenly occurred to me that one half of our engagement was complete as once she turned 18 we would be able to fully be engaged and later married. That is, if we got out of this coming conflict alive. But for now, I decided to just enjoy my Princess in my wings.

"So how about we head to the flight range? I'll race you there." Revali said.

"Actually, I after I have some breakfast myself, I would like to spend some time alone with Zelda, exploring a few ancient ruins".

He deflated a bit when he heard this, "Oh, ok."

"But first, I need to talk to you in private."

We traveled up to Vah Medoh using the Sheikah Slate, Revali was apprehensive to say the least at this sudden change of scenery.

"Well, we're here, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"We both know that we might not come back from this fight Revali. This could be your last chance with Mipha. You realize that, right?"

"She's not interested in me."

I got up in his face, "Look me in the eyes and say that then."

He did so, or rather tried to as he opened his beak before closing it again, without a word.

"That's what I thought."

"Look, if you don't tell her. You'll never know how she truly feels about you."

"If she doesn't feel the same way, it will make our relationship forever awkward."

Though I tried to stifle it, I couldn't help but laugh at this, much to Revali's confusion.

"Have you been paying attention? It's already awkward!"

I sighed before trying to console a visibly nervous and withdrawn Revali, "Just try it, ok?"

I turned around to fly off of Vah Medoh when Revali interrupted me, "Hey Link, before you go spend time with your Princess, I was wondering if you had any cold resistance elixirs as well as a bow made for Zora?"

I gave him all the heat elixirs I had as well as any spicy meals alongside a Silver Bow.

"This should just about do ya."

"How do you carry all of this?" Revali said, looking at the pile in front of him agape.

I shrugged, "To be honest I've never given it much thought. Zelda and I will be back by dinner, and Thanks for such a Happy Birthday, Revali."

With that, I flew off the side of Vah Medoh back down to the village below, leaving Revali alone in his thoughts.