A/N: I don't think anything in here is spoilery but, just in case, this draws from AoC. Read at your own discretion.


"You can either walk yourself back, or I can carry you."

"Hmph."

"The deal was that if you lost, you'd join us for dinner." It had been rather easy to trick the Rito archer into a duel. She had simply challenged him, stipulating that he had to remain on the ground and she, in turn, would not use her lightning. Knowing that she was a renowned swordswoman, Revali had scoffed, claiming that she feared his aerial superiority. All it had taken from there was reminding him that no amount of aerial superiority had saved anyone from lightning. Back at square one, the Rito had struggled for some come back until she had assured him that it was okay to chicken out.

Calling his bravery was the straw that had broken the camel's back. With his reputation on the line, Revali had agreed to her terms.

And was quickly outmatched.

"Don't remind me."

"Then quit sulking."

The Rito Champion said nothing, simply glaring at her. Evidently, his ego was rather sensitive, though she hadn't needed to beat him in a duel to figure that out. It was written all over his attitude.

"..."

"Okay, spill it. What's the issue?"

"You really expect me to sit at a table with him of all people?"

"Link?" Urbosa asked. It was the worst kept secret among the group that the famed Rito archer had a vendetta against the Hylian knight.

"Yes," the Rito nearly spat.

"And why do you hate him?" It was a point of interest for her. Seeing as the Champions were meant to operate as a single unit, any disagreeable attitudes could harm their ability to work harmoniously.

"Imagine, if you will, that you and your Ilk are defending your home and a boy playing at being a knight attacks your wingmates and is far rougher with them than he needs to be… How would you feel?" Revali asked as he folded his wings.

"I don't have to imagine."

"Come again?"

"I don't have to imagine," she repeated. "When Zelda came to see me about Naboris, a large skirmish broke out. The Yiga had infiltrated our ranks and were deceiving my warriors. Despite the Hylians' best efforts, many of my sisters were still hurt. Link was responsible for many of those injuries."

The Rito eyed her, sizing her up with a different gleam in his eye. "Then how can you stand to look at him?"

"Because I know what kind of man he could be," she answered.

"And what does that mean?"

"How many of your people did he kill?"

"... None."

"And have you watched him train or fight?"

"... Yes."

"Then you know it wouldn't have been difficult for him to kill many of your wingmates." In her many years, she had seen very few of Link's ability. Revali, Daruk, and Mipha were the only ones that could even compare, aside from herself. Had the Hylian knight not chosen to hold back, then the casualties suffered would have been far greater.

"..."

"I suppose we could take it a step further: my warriors were ordered to kill him and Princess Zelda. Were your archers?"

"Dead or alive."

"Then it's safe to say that he put himself and the Princess in more danger by making the choice not to kill." Urbosa gave him a pointed glance, knowing that he was intelligent enough to catch what she wasn't saying.

"How noble," Revali grumbled dryly, holding his wings wide, "putting his life and reputation on the line." The Rito sighed as he dropped his wings, staring off into the distance for a long moment. "How sure of him are you?"

"Enough to entrust him with the Princess's life."

"You two do seem rather close," Revali noted quietly, more to himself. Again, his eyes drifted to the horizon thoughtfully before he folded his wings. "Hmm. Very well. I will give him another chance to prove himself. But -" he said sharply as he glared at her with a single eye "- if he fails, I'll be holding you personally responsible."

"How gracious."

The Rito snorted as he crouched down, spreading his wings wide. "Now, if you'll excuse me…"

He was stopped by a firm hand on his shoulder. "Master Revali," Urbosa said as she leaned down with a fake grin, "have you perhaps forgotten you have prior obligations?" Oh, she had not chased him all the way out of the city, pinned him in a duel, and won simply so he could weasel his way out of it after he thought he'd distracted her.

"Hmm?" The Rito in question stared at her, too unnerved to hide his normally blusterous attitude.

"You lost our duel," she reminded him, maintaining the grin, "which means you will be joining us for dinner."

"You're still going on about that?"

Before he had a chance to say anything more, Urbosa reached down, clamping a hand around his beak. Giving him no chance to recover from the shock, she hauled him up and began dragging him back toward the city. "If you behave yourself, perhaps I will let go before anyone sees you in such a… endearing state."