If Things Had Been Different (Redux)

by Jrhall2

(REWRITE) Months after the events of TotK, when a strange phenomenon pulls Zelda and Link through time, the couple must figure out why they were sent to the era they were. Things aren't as simple as they seem, though, as the two make a startling discovery about where they've ended up together. (Massive TotK spoilers mentioned casually throughout).

6. Silent Knight

Author's Note: Welcome back everyone! I had a much easier time writing this chapter - no writer's block to report! Though I was a bit surprised that some of this came as easily as it did to me, to be honest. Revali proved to be the Champion I was least confident in writing but I actually am rather pleased with the way this chapter turned out. I did my best to make sure he never came across as being out of character so hopefully I did a good enough job to keep everyone happy with his portrayal. I know a lot of people were looking forward to Revali!

Anyway, I'll give some more insight at the end so I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

---

"Rito Village looks the same as ever, doesn't it?" Zel murmured.

"It really does. I suppose it hasn't been that long in the grand scheme of things."

Link pulled his partner closer to him as a frigid gust of air blew across the plains; they were on their final approach to the village now with nothing left to shield them from the cold. Zel was wearing that familiar white winter coat she always looked so beautiful in. Her other self had spares made of it just in case one ever got damaged and she had graciously lent one to her. That meant Zel would be perfectly warm and comfortable.

While Link's other self didn't have an extra set of his own winter clothing, the past Princess had offered him a heavy winter coat instead, apologizing for having nothing that fit him better. It was a little big on him he had to admit but Zel said it was cute…so that was enough to keep him happy with it.

"I was wondering if you were about to tell us that Rito Village had fallen to the ground in your own world. It sounds about like the kind of thing that might happen to you based on the stories you've told us already." Zel's past self walked slightly ahead of them, grimacing lightly at the idea. Next to her, Link's own counterpart studied their surroundings, ever prepared to draw the Master Sword should the need arise.

The past Zelda had had offered for she and her Link to escort them to Rito Village. Revali didn't know about the couple from the future yet and she had told them the last time they had approached the village unannounced, the Champion had taken it upon himself to defend his home and people rather aggressively. They couldn't fault him for his actions but she didn't want a repeat of that day, especially if he became suspicious of the obvious differences in their appearance by comparison to what he knew.

"Thankfully, nothing like that has happened," Zel assured her. "Though Vah Medoh once terrorized the skies above the village eight years ago. It was Link who freed it from Ganon's control though."

"That sounds just like him." The younger girl had really settled into chatting with the two of them. The stiff, formal way of speech she had initially adopted with them was mostly gone now and she smiled and laughed easily as if they'd know each other all their lives.

"How come you didn't bring Terrako along this time?" Link asked. The past Princess laughed lightly.

"He gets a little too playful with Revali and it usually upset him. I figured it was best to keep him as calm as possible today for your reunion with him." Link grinned.

"That's probably a good idea. Still, I love the idea of Terrako running around and chasing Revali."

"Wait," Link's past self hissed, throwing his arm in front of the past Zelda and drawing the Master Sword.

Link himself could feel it too. It was as if they had just stepped into a trap of some sort; there was a presence watching them. Waiting. What was it? He stepped forward at almost the same moment and put himself between Zel and the spot ahead of them he felt the ire emanating from. Drawing his own sword, he carefully eyed the bridge before them that led to Rito Village. There was nowhere to hide on the ground. Then they were above? But not in the skies. The trees then.

"Hoh? Both of you detected my presence so quickly. I find myself at a loss to know which is the fake now." A familiar voice tinged with confidence and arrogance rang out.

From a tall tree leapt Revali himself, his Great Eagle Bow at the ready. His sharp eyes bored into them, a gravely serious look on his face. Link sighed in relief but didn't his guard down yet. It was a good thing their past selves had come with them after all. Revali probably would have tried ambushing them if he and Zel had arrived alone.

"Revali, wait," the past Zelda called out. "I know the situation seems strange, but I promise they aren't imposters nor enemies. Please come join us; I have a lot to explain to you."

The Rito Champion was wary but slowly lowered his bow once each Link sheathed their respective swords. Gliding easily over to them, he landed and studied the group. Since he hadn't been expecting time travelers, his suspicion made perfect sense.

"Zelda-sama, I feel I must ask just what is going on here? Have my eyes crossed and I simply haven't noticed yet?" She laughed and shook her head.

"No, your vision is as sharp as ever. I'm afraid it's quite a long story, but the important information is that this Zelda and Link hail from the future. Terrako opened a portal through time and brought them to our world several days ago. Since then, they've been visiting all the Champions. They've also become very good friends of mine and I trust them; please believe me when I say they aren't here to threaten you in any way."

"From the future?" he repeated, cocking an eyebrow and gazing sharply at Link. "Are you telling me they hail from the same time Teba and Tulin did?" Zel gasped next to him.

"You know Teba and Tulin?" Though cautious, Revali responded to her.

"I do. When Ganon attempted to wrest control of Vah Medoh from my grasp with his beast, a descendant of mine appeared to aid me in battle. His name was Teba and he fought bravely. He was almost as competent a warrior as I am."

Link resisted the urge to smile. Revali never praised others like that. Teba must have made quite an impression. Even though he was perfectly content being the Village Elder in their world, Link remembered the older Rito's abilities quite well. He had been invaluable in quelling Medoh's wrath.

"If what we've heard from the other Champions is correct, though, Tulin would have been very young. He didn't help you fight too, did he?" Revali considered her for several moments before shaking his head, his face relaxing somewhat.

"No, Tulin was just a fledgling when I met him. He had wandered through time behind his father and become lost in the Korok Forest. So Teba and I, of course, found him and made sure no harm came to him. Though he was young, he had an uncanny knack for reading the wind and even showed a bit of promise when attempting to replicate my technique."

"He was always a special kid," Link agreed. Revali cast a suspicious glare at him.

"I suppose you know Tulin as well?" He let the aggression roll off of him. He was used to it when dealing with Revali.

"I do. He's much older now in our world and he helped me save Hyrule from an enormous threat a few months ago. He's perfected his own ability to control the wind too. Where you created updrafts from nothing, Tulin has managed to create wind tunnels that propel him forward in much the same way. The speed he can achieve with them is incredible."

Revali seemed to glow with satisfaction for a moment. It was an unfamiliar sight to Link. The Rito warrior was so intensely proud and stubborn that he rarely offered any consideration for another. Tulin must have also impressed him, even at such a young age.

"Hm. That's no surprise. I sensed he would go on to accomplish great things; of course he lived up to my expectations."

"It seems you're coming to understand just how true what I said was," the other Zelda noted with a smile. Revali cleared his throat and looked away.

"If this were all an act, it's far too elaborate to stay committed to it at this point. I suppose I don't have any reason to doubt your words when they clearly know the same Rito who traveled through time six months ago. But why come here of all places?" Zel smiled and stepped forward.

"It's like Zelda said – we're here to see you!"

"Hah. And just why would you want to do that? Didn't either of you get enough of me in your own world?"

"Oh come on, don't be like that," Link interjected with a light smile. "We haven't seen you in a long time." He considered them for a moment before sighing.

"I suppose you really did come from the world where Ganon succeeded then? Where I was killed by his soldier and Vah Medoh was stolen from me?" Zel gave a somber nod.

"That's right. So even though it's strange for you…we really are glad to see you again, Revali. It's been more than a century."

"Well I can't say I'm exactly thrilled to see more than one of him," the Rito scoffed, "but I'm not surprised that my presence can make your day that much better." Zel glanced at Link and gave him an apologetic look.

"Now, now, Revali," the past Zelda chided, "I thought we had moved past this. Surely you don't still resent Link, do you?"

"Bah. I have as little to say on the matter as he ever says himself." Link took that as his cue to show him things were different.

"I'll admit I was pretty quiet in the past. I shut everyone around me out and I chose not to speak to anyone for a long time. But that's all behind me now. If you'd like to hear more of my voice than you already have, I'd be happy to talk with you for as long as you like, Revali." The Rito Champion's eyes widened in shock.

"You think I want to talk to you? Hah! You should use some of the self-flattery on me instead! It would be much more useful that way."

"I can try that too," Link shot back. "Your feathers look particularly well-groomed today." Revali sputtered and glowered at him.

"…somehow you're almost more insufferable than the one I already know…" Zel spoke up quickly, trying to diffuse the tension.

"A-at any rate, we'd love to spend some time with you Revali, if you're willing to of course. We didn't send word to you early so if you're busy today, we'll understand. But if you have the time to spare, would you like to enjoy lunch together perhaps?" He heaved an enormous sigh before turned back towards the village.

"I usually dine on the upper decks. If you really wish to join me, I suppose I won't object." That was likely as good as they were going to get. The past Zelda smiled.

"I'm glad you're warming up to the idea, Revali. Perhaps we can all enjoy lunch together before Link and I retire to the Castle? We don't want to intrude on your reunion all day."

"…you're welcome to do as you like."

---

Revali reluctantly led the four through Rito Village where they were met with a few confused glances. It really did look like he was leading a band of imposters towards the peak of the village. Nobody said anything though, trusting their hero's judgment of the situation. Upon arriving at one of the highest point of the village that looked out onto the Hebra Mountains, Revali gestured to one of the huts nearby. A small bridge led to its covered interior where a table sat. There was one lone chair, no doubt for the Champion himself, resting alongside it.

"I'll have to ask for more seats to be procured, but we'll be dining here."

"This view is beautiful," Zel murmured, gazing out at the snowy plains and the sparkling lake far below. She leaned against Link's side and wrapped her arm around his, a content sigh passing her lips.

"And just what is this now?" Revali's accusatory voice asked, cutting through the tranquility of the moment. His eyes were locked onto them and Link, suddenly realizing what he was referring to, couldn't stifle a laugh.

"That's right, we forgot to mention it to you before – Zel and I are engaged." His eyebrows rose slightly on his forehead but nothing else about his expression changed.

"Engaged? As in a promise to be wed to one another?"

"That's right. Sorry it slipped our minds to mention it earlier."

"Oh, don't give it a second thought. I likely wouldn't have had the mental faculties to comprehend just how ridiculous that is if you'd told me when we'd first met."

Link sighed. This Revali was much more aggressive than the spirit he'd met upon his awakening. Though he knew the Rito Champion was proud to a fault and had a complicated assortment of feelings towards him, when he had felled Ganon's blight and freed Medoh he had finally earned the warrior's respect. That wasn't so in this timeline, evidently. In fact, it felt as if their relationship had never progressed at all, something quite jarring compared to what he had been hoping for.

"Ridiculous?" Zel asked, her own eyebrow rising. "You aren't happy for us, Revali?" He scoffed and folded his wings across his chest.

"I won't call into question your commitment, Zelda-sama, but I do find myself questioning your taste in romantic partners."

"Revali," the past Zelda began suddenly, "you shouldn't let your rivalry with Link spoil your reunion with them. It's been more than one hundred years since they've met you."

"On the contrary, we've never met at all. Perhaps the other Champions were more accommodating to this idea, but all I see is a pair of strangers that just happen to look like Hyrule's Princess and her Silent Knight."

Link saw Zel deflate a bit. She had been just as excited to see Revali as all the other Champions when they'd awakened that morning. Though Link had done his best to prepare her for the brash personality they'd very likely be on the receiving end of, even he hadn't expected the Rito to be quite this stubborn. This was almost worse than when they'd first met him in their own timeline.

"I know we're not from the same world," Link began, earning his sharp gaze again, "but it's not as if we don't know you. You were our invaluable ally and our close friend during the Calamity in our world too. I know it's a bit strange, but we're not here to step on your toes. We just wanted to meet our friend again."

"Friend? I have a hard time imagining you thinking of me as a friend."

So that's what it was. He didn't just see the Link of this era as a rival – he still actively disliked him. They hadn't bonded in any way at all even during the chaos of the Calamity. Then his hostility stemmed from feeling like he was being looked down on by the Princess's knight due to his constant silence.

Speaking of the Princess and her knight, their counterparts looked on nervously, their eyes concerned. The other Zelda especially looked upset. He knew she had come along to make sure their meeting went as smoothly as possible and she probably blamed herself that it wasn't going particularly well. That was okay, though. Link wasn't exactly a social butterfly but he knew the Rito well enough to make a competent appeal to him.

"Well then I'd be happy to surprise you. Zel and I have thought of you as our friend for a long time now. We've raised monuments in your honor, told stories of your bravery and unwavering camaraderie in the face of the greatest threat the world had ever known. We've even chatted about what you and the others might think if you met us now."

"Is there really so much to be noticed?" he scoffed.

"I like to think we've both changed a fair amount – I'm far more open with my words and feelings and Zel is stronger and happier than she's ever been. We've wondered what you might think of us many times, what our friends might think of us. And not just the fact that we're romantically involved, either."

Revali wore a complicated look on his face. It was as if he were both trying to accept Link's appeal and deny it at the same time. Was it really that hard for him to just trust his words and have a nice time with them? At this point, Link would be thankful if he'd just fake it for the afternoon so neither his Zel nor the past Zelda had to worry about things anymore. Of course, it all depended on how willing he was to believe that Link didn't look down on him in the future.

"You seem to love announcing that fact," he grumped, the familiar scowl returning to his face.

"What, that we're together?"

"Together, romantically involved, engaged, whatever you like to call it. It's tiresome to hear no matter which words you use to describe it." Zel laughed lightly at last.

"I can understand that. Sometimes I get so lost in my own feelings that I don't realize I've been talking about Link for far too long to anybody who will listen. I hope we haven't made you feel uncomfortable."

"Hah! Me? Uncomfortable about that? Of course not. It just brings a few questions to my mind, that's all." Zel was intent on not losing the thread of conversation this time.

"What questions might those be? Perhaps I can answer them for you!" The charm in her voice would have drawn anyone else in but Link worried even that might not be enough.

"The first that comes to my mind is how he managed to worm his way into an engagement with someone so far above his standing," he sneered, his eyes boring into Link. Zel just shook her head.

"Link isn't beneath me in any way. Besides, the Royal Family is no more in our era. I and I alone get to decide what I want. And I want a life with Link."

"What made you want that? Was it pity? Desperation? Certainly something had to force you into settling for him, right?"

Link gritted his teeth but did his best not to let his annoyance show. He didn't really care if Revali spoke badly of him. Though he was being far more hostile than Link had ever experienced, he was also used to the Rito's ire. Usually it was a bit less hateful, but it didn't bother him that much. The way he was speaking about Zel though was starting to irk him…but he swallowed his aggravation for his partner's sake. She would be able to handle Revali much more gracefully anyway and she didn't seem upset by his words.

"Of course there was a reason I wanted to be with him," Zel continued, maintaining her smile. "I love him."

"I struggle to understand how. Someone who refuses to speak and gazes at those around him with those cold, dead eyes hardly seems the type to captivate you, Zelda-sama." Zel's grip on Link twitched. He saw her smile, so warm and welcoming, falter for just a moment but she maintained her near-flawless composure even still.

Just the same way Link never really get upset on his own account, Zel was the same way. She could ignore any manner of criticism or judgment towards her and never bat an eye these days, a stark difference from when she was drowning under societal pressures at the Castle. But when she heard someone speak badly of him, that was when she got upset and defensive.

"Link is far warmer than you're giving him credit. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I never experienced true happiness in my entire life until he rescued me from the Calamity. Being with him again after that century was the greatest gift I've ever received." Revali sighed and turned away, gazing out at the mountains.

"I suppose I'll just have to take you at your word. It is simply beyond my understanding how you could love someone like that, though. If you were to ask my opinion, he would never be good enough to measure up to you no matter how much time passed. Whether he saved you after one hundred years or ten thousand, there should be no reason for you to be that happy to see him."

"Ten…thousand?"

Zel's mask slipped and she blinked several times, stunned. The look of hurt on her face enraged Link all at once…but he drew a slow, shaky breath to calm himself down. Revali didn't know her story. He had no way of knowing how much pain his words would cause her. That number, though…it was the number that had first terrified her upon her return from being the Light Dragon, the number that had filled her heart with dread and caused her to panic in his arms. And Revali had all but insinuated that she was a fool for being happy to see Link after all that time alone…all that fear she'd felt when she'd made the choice she'd made…

"Indeed, ten thousand. Or perhaps even many millennia more. I can't think of anything more galling than having to wake up to him. Even if you had been alone for countless lifetimes, I doubt a shred of that loneliness would be remedied by his presence. Surely there must be something better to see upon your first awakening than someone who-"

"Revali!"

Zel had started to cry softly next to him. She wasn't upset with the Rito Champion – Link knew her far too well to make that mistake. She was upset though. Undoubtedly, she was reliving all those horrible memories again when she had least expected it. All he had managed to do was wrap her up in his arms and try not to be too upset with their friend. It was still true that Revali didn't know the weight of his words. But the sound of Link's own heartbeat thundering in his ears was almost loud enough to drown out the little voice in his head that begged him to remain calm until they could explain the situation.

Even so, he had been very close to forcefully interrupting but someone had beaten him to it. It was Zel's other self. Her face was livid and her eyes intense as she stared hard at the Rito Champion. He didn't blame her; Link could still feel his heart hammering in anger as he watched Zel cry. Her face was otherwise still but those tears streamed silently down her cheeks.

"What?" he demanded, rounding on the group again. His eyes widened in surprise as he noticed Zel crying. There was no way he didn't notice Link's hard gaze boring into him despite his best efforts to remain calm. He opened his mouth as if he were going to say something but closed it again a moment later. Perhaps he was unsure of what to do.

"Apologize to her," the other Zelda demanded, her voice harsh. Link had only heard this tone once before and it was when Zel had confronted her father in the hallway their first morning at the Castle.

"For what, exactly?" Revali challenged. Though his words were still tinged with his usual arrogant flare, Link noticed his tone was softer.

"For saying those awful things to her! I don't care how much you don't like Link; that's a problem for the two of you to sort out. But I cannot stand here and listen to you say such hurtful words to Zelda."

"Surely what I said couldn't have been that offensive." He didn't show signs of giving in, even still.

"You have no idea what they've been through. What Zelda has been through. You said yourself earlier that you don't know the two of them. So how dare you presume to know what would hurt her or not." Revali's gaze hardened again.

"I can't help but feel as if I don't know the whole story."

"You don't, but that can wait until later. Apologize to her for what you said, Revali."

"You know, you may be the Crown Princess of Hyrule, but I find your attitude quite disrespectful, especially when I was an integral part of sparing this world from the Calamity alongside you." Link had wondered how long it might take him to be offended by the Princess's tone, but she refused to back down.

"You're right; I am the Crown Princess. And as the heir to the throne of Hyrule, the Kingdom under which we all live, I find your lack of respect for my own future self to be appalling. I thought you were better than this." The Rito warrior bristled at her words.

"Better than what, exactly?"

"Better than throwing around excuses like a child when you've clearly hurt someone who thinks so highly of you." Zel finally managed to recover enough to speak, brushing her sleeves across her cheeks.

"Zelda, it's okay, really. He didn't know."

"Perhaps. But somehow I wonder if it would have mattered. It seems he cares more about this ridiculous rivalry with Link than he does about the feelings of his friend, even seeing the results of his words." Revali's eyes darkened before he turned his back again.

"Hmph. Perhaps I was a bit too naïve to invite you all here after all. But since I've already done that, please enjoy your lunch. I'll simply make myself scarce until you return to the Castle."

Link, his anger abating some, watched in surprise as Revali blasted off into the air, his familiar technique lifting him high into the sky before he flew off towards the Flight Range. The four remaining simply gazed after him in silence. Zel was the first to speak.

"You…really didn't have to do that for me," she murmured. Her other self stomped across the wooden planks and seized her hands.

"Yes I did. I've heard you tell me your story. I've seen the agony in your eyes when you relive the decision you had to make to save Link and your Kingdom. Nobody has the right to diminish that or imply that you shouldn't have been happy when you were saved. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Revali but I won't let him say those kinds of hurtful things to you or about you."

"…thank you." Silence filled the air again before Zel's other self let go of her and grimaced.

"Still…I went too far just then, didn't I? I shouldn't have let my anger get the better of me…" Link sighed and pulled Zel closer to him, still intent on comforting her.

"Revali's not exactly the type to let things blow over by the next time you see him either. Want me to try talking to him? He seems to really dislike me in this world, but maybe I can get through to him with what I've learned in the future." The past Zelda shook her head.

"I appreciate that, but I should handle this. After all, I'm the one who offended him; I should be the one to apologize too. But I'm still not letting him off the hook that easily for hurting Zelda." Zel shook her head hurriedly.

"Please, you don't need to push him any further on my account. He doesn't know my story yet; I know he didn't mean to bring up such painful memories."

"He's always like this, though. Frankly, I hope this can be an eye-opening experience for him. He's an accomplished warrior and certainly has earned his status as a hero, but his words are coarse and thoughtless. If an entire generation of young Rito are looking up to him, he ought to be a better role model for them." Zel laughed again at long last.

"You remind me so much of myself and the way I would want to behave as a leader…though perhaps that's not much of a surprise."

"I'd be more surprised if that weren't the case. Now please, you stay here and enjoy lunch. I don't know how long this might take, but I'll go set things right."

"…thank you again for looking out for me."

"Who better to? Aside from Link, of course," she amended with a smile before turning to her own Link. "Do you have your paraglider on you?"

"Of course, Zelda-sama. Right here." He gestured to an item on his back.

"Great! I'll be borrowing it – thank you!" The past Zelda seized the paraglider and pulled it free with deceptive speed, dashing towards the end of the deck before anyone could stop her.

"W-wait! Zelda-sama!"

"Don't worry, I'll return it later!" She leapt from the edge and unfolded the glider, soaring towards the Flight Range herself. Link's past self gave an exasperated sigh.

"That's not what I'm worried about…" He deflated a moment later, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Need a hand? We can all go after her," Link offered. His counterpart shook his head.

"That's okay; I'll just follow her myself. The two of you should stay here in case Revali returns. Still…it's quite a walk to the Flight Range from here…"

Link suppressed a smile as his other self huffed another aggravated sigh and turned on his heel, setting off down the spiral steps again. His relationship with his Zelda was quite different; he worried about her in the same way but his exasperation with her impulsiveness hadn't yet transformed to adoration. Zel wasn't nearly as headstrong anymore but Link still remembered their journeys around Hyrule before the Calamity and how often she had tried to slip away from him only to have to chase her down again. The memory brought a small smile to his face.

"I hope she and Revali will be okay. She really didn't have to get so angry for me," Zel murmured, her eyes shimmering with concern.

"Just be glad she said something when she did; I was this close to getting upset with him myself. I don't know if I would have yelled at him but I won't stand here and watch anyone make you cry, whether they meant it or not."

"What a silly thing to cry over, too. It's not like he understood the weight of his words. Honestly, they shouldn't have affected me so much." Link tightened his hold on her.

"There's no shame in reacting the way you did, my love. I know we've both come a long way since you came back to me six months ago but that doesn't mean everything's perfectly fine now. We'll take our time and make small steps together. And someday we'll have moved so far past those terrible memories that they won't have a hold on us any longer." Zel nodded and hugged his waist.

"You're right. Thank you, Link. You always know just how to make me feel better."

---

Zelda sighed as she walked into the Flight Range. She had been here once before to relay some information to Revali during the Calamity. Of course, Link had been right by her side and he had glowered at him the whole time. It frustrated her that the two didn't get along. She didn't pin the blame on Revali alone – she had some measure of understanding why Link chose not to speak to many people, but the Rito Champion clearly took some offense to being ignored so pointedly, perhaps rightly so. But the majority of their problems did stem from the proud warrior himself.

He was so self-assured and smug about his abilities. He had a bad habit of demanding that everyone praise him which usually led to him disparaging Link in some way when nobody did as he requested. He refused to accept that someone, Hylian or not, might just be a cut above him. And now his rivalry with Link had caused him to hurt Zelda's future self.

The older girl was gentle and sweet. She was selfless and brave in a way Zelda herself couldn't imagine being. Though they were the same person, she truly couldn't see herself having the courage to make the choice her counterpart had in the ancient past. She had imagined doing so the first night they'd met as she laid in bed and the idea had filled her veins with ice. She could only imagine how terrified her future self must have been in that moment…

That was why she refused to let Revali force her to relive such painful memories without properly apologizing. It was unacceptable that he make her cry, especially when all of his comments were because of his petulant rivalry with Link. But she could hardly demand an apology from him for saying words that hurt his friend and not expect the same decency from herself. Her words had clearly hurt him too, even if he hid it behind a blustering exterior. Zelda was big enough to admit her wrongs. Was he?

As she approached the large wooden hut, she heard the telltale firing of a bow. Glancing to her left, her eyes fell upon Revali, soaring through the updrafts at incredible speed. The Great Eagle Bow was too heavy for a normal Rito warrior, she had been told. That Revali could wield it as effortlessly as he could whilst manipulating air currents around him was a feat no other Rito could manage. And the fact that his marksmanship was nearly unparalleled as well was truly something to be proud of.

Once she made her way under the thatched roof, she stayed close to the fire beneath the cooking pot for warmth, waiting for Revali to land again. She was dressed her in warmest outfit but the biting chill of the Hebra Mountains was now enveloping her in full. The Flight Range was noticeably colder than Rito Village and she wondered how any of the Rito could possibly bear flying through blizzards the way they sometimes did, even with their feathers to keep them warm

"Hoh? If it isn't the Crown Princess, heir to the throne of Hyrule herself. Have I offended you in some other way I wasn't aware, Your Highness?"

Revali touched down lightly on the nearby dock, his words dripping with sarcasm as he very pointedly turned his gaze away from her. Zelda sighed lightly but she couldn't really blame him. She had been awfully condescending before.

"Revali, can we talk?"

"I suppose you're welcome to if you like. I, myself, have nothing to say, however."

"I'm sorry." The Rito Warrior turned sharply towards her, his eyes wider than usual. "I shouldn't have said the things I said to you and treated you so coldly, even if I was angry. Whether you would admit it or not, I do consider you my friend. An important one, at that. And after the lecture I gave you about hurting friends with your words, it would be quite hypocritical of me to not to apologize to you for doing the same. So…I'm sorry, Revali."

A stunned silence filled the air around the Rito warrior, the whistling of the nearby updrafts the only sound she could hear for several long moments. Finally, Revali walked under the rooftop as well and placed his bow against the wall.

"It's not like I was particularly offended, you know. You didn't have to come all the way out here to say something so trivial to me."

"I don't think it's trivial at all," Zelda continued. "I've heard about the world the Zelda and Link from the future live in. There, the Champions are all gone. When I think of things like that, it makes me realize how lucky I am that I didn't lose my own friends. So I don't want to push them away, no matter what disagreements or misunderstandings we may have. That includes you, as much as you might not like to hear it," she added with a small smile. Revali finally met her gaze and sighed.

"If you insist, Zelda-sama. While I still think you're exaggerating somewhat, I accept your apology…and I appreciate it." Zelda felt her eyes go wide despite her best efforts. Revali took notice, of course, and scoffed before speaking again, his eyes narrowing.

"Is it that shocking that I respond amicably?" Zelda blinked a few times before shaking her head.

"No, I don't believe it is. I was simply expecting a bit more of a fight before we got to that point, that's all."

"Hmph. I'm well aware of the character I present and the way others speak about me. However, it simply doesn't bother me. Not everyone can be a hero and a role model the way I am." Zelda managed to resist the urge to grimace this time.

"How about a friend? Is that something you wish to be as well?" A long silence fell over the hut.

"I suppose I view those within my limited circle favorably."

"That's as good as I'll get, isn't it?"

"Is that not enough?"

"You tell me. Is viewing someone favorably enough for you to apologize to my future self?" Revali huffed.

"I still have no idea what I could possibly have said that would offend her so much. Was she really that upset that I didn't sing the Silent Knight's praises like everyone else in the world?"

"That's not it, Revali. She wasn't offended; you brought back some really painful memories for her."

At this, the Rito Champion stopped and turned his gaze again, meeting her eyes and frowning. After considering her for several moments, he sat down by the fire before sighing.

"I suppose that's the information I wasn't aware of then?" Zelda nodded as she sat down nearby. She didn't want to crowd him but she stayed relatively close.

"It is. I don't think she'd mind if I told you…Goddess knows she's relived it enough since waking up in this world."

"I suppose I could take the time to listen to you."

"Thank you." She could see the way he reacted in shock to her sincerity. It was the one way she knew of appealing to Revali; luckily for her, it usually worked.

"Well? Go on then." Zelda couldn't help but grin lightly.

"If you insist. You see…the future Zelda, my other self from the same world as Terrako…she has lived through unimaginable pain and misery. I'll spare you the incredibly detailed version of the story and simply say that in their world a great evil, far greater than the Calamity, awakened and caused Zelda and the Master Sword to fall through time.

"While trapped far in the ancient past, all of her mentors were slowly killed around her. She was stuck in a time that wasn't hers, thousands and thousands of years ago. She held a Master Sword shattered by the powers of this cataclysmic evil. And the only way she could repair that blade, the only way she could give her Link a chance to fell their enemy and save Hyrule…was to sacrifice herself…" Revali raised an eyebrow.

"She seems perfectly fine to me. Is there still more to the story?"

"Indeed. She consumed an artifact…and transformed her body into that of a great dragon. Her mind and heart were lost for all eternity."

Revali finally reacted. His eyes widened and he recoiled noticeably, a small gasp betraying the shock he felt. Even after Zelda let the horror of that truth sink in, he still didn't say anything. In fact, his eyes looked as if they were staring at something impossibly far away, trying to make sense out of the information he just heard.

"Why would she do something like that…?"

"In order to use her magic to restore the Master Sword and to have some way to deliver it back to her proper time. For countless millennia, she roamed the skies of Hyrule, lost and unaware that she had ever even been Hylian. And yet the entire time, she instinctively poured her light magic into the blade and restored it for Link. And after that impossibly long time, Link found it in his own time period…and her." Revali gazed into the fire now.

"She gave away everything she possessed to aid him, to save her Kingdom. Even her sense of self."

"She did. She believed that choice to be permanent; her mentor in the ancient past said it was impossible to reverse the transformation. But the spirits of her ancestors combined their magic with Link in the present day and they were able to save her. Perhaps now you can see why your words would wound her so."

"…ten thousand years, I said. And that's not even the whole length of time she endured such a fate?"

"I don't believe it was, no."

"And I assume he was the first one she laid eyes on upon her awakening from that nightmare?"

"Of course. He was the one who saved her, after all."

"Hah. And I threw all that in her face back in the village, didn't I?" Zelda gave him a soft smile.

"She knows you weren't aware of it. She insisted you had done no wrong after you left us. But…I can't bear to see her suffer after all she's been through. I lost myself when I saw her cry because of your words. I lashed out at you and I shouldn't have. I understand that you didn't mean to bring back such bad memories for her."

"And yet here I sit, feeling a fool and looking like one as well, I'd imagine." Zelda shifted gears.

"I know you don't like him, but Link's future self was part of this story as well. Though he won't tell me everything that happened the way Zelda has, I can see an immense amount of anguish and regret in his eyes every time the conversation comes up. I sense the same deep agony in him that I felt when I believed Ganon had succeeded in killing my father and all my friends when he first appeared." Revali scoffed, his voice returning to normal for a moment.

"Did he at some point learn to feel emotion then?"

"Revali…do you really believe Link to be that cold?"

"Hmph."

"…I suppose that's an issue for another day. The fact remains, that Link and Zelda have been through…something unfathomable to most people. I'd like them to experience as much joy as possible while they're here, especially after Terrako scared them by dropping them through time again. They were truly excited at the prospect of seeing you again, Revali."

"…"

"I know you haven't really met them before. I know the Revali they met in their world is a different person from you. And yet…I cannot deny a strange sense of familiarity when I speak with her Link. When I look upon Zelda herself, it's as if I am looking even deeper than a mirror would allow. There must be some reason I feel so drawn to them and they to us.

"If only to grant my earnest wish for them to experience happiness here that they could never feel in their own world…won't you please make an effort to speak with them? To spend time with them? To treat them as if they really are your friends who haven't seen you alive in more than a century?"

Revali gazed into the fire still, his face contemplative. His eyes were almost wistful, as if she had broken through to him. Perhaps she really had managed it this time. She had learned early on that approaching the Rito Champion with sincerity was the only thing that made him respond to her. Perhaps it wouldn't work with regards to Link, but she would do her best to succeed, especially this time.

"Hahhh…I suppose I don't have much of a choice in the matter. With a backstory that tragic, even I would start to feel resentment towards myself if I didn't at least fake it for the afternoon." His usually haughty aplomb was back.

"Really?"

"Besides, if your words are true and I have no reason to doubt them…I must swallow my pride and apologize to this other Zelda-sama. While I have no love lost for her knight, something about feeling responsible for causing her to shed tears simply fails to sit right with me."

"I'm sure she'd really appreciate it, Revali."

"And if, perhaps, that leads to a conversation with the two…well, I suppose that might be unavoidable at this point."

"Thank you," Zelda offered, smiling at him. This time, he turned away rather pointedly.

"This is only because it's truly unavoidable, mind you."

"But of course." She couldn't keep the smile off her face.

"Perhaps we should return to the village then," Revali proposed, rising to his feet and seizing his bow. Zelda did the same, hoping for a better result than last time.

A moment later, Zelda's eyes fell on Link approaching the Flight Range – the Link from her own time period. She suddenly felt very guilty for stealing his paraglider and leaving him behind, especially knowing the way he worried for her safety. Before she could even put together a response, though, Revali huffed.

"On second thought, I'll head back to the village myself and he can accompany you on your way back."

"If you insist," Zelda conceded.

"…thank you for speaking with me, Zelda-sama." Without another moment's hesitation, the Rito Champion shot into the air and disappeared towards the horizon, leaving a very surprised Zelda in his wake.

When Link finally entered the hut, his usually stoic face tinged with annoyance, Zelda decided it best to apologize to him as well.

"I'm sorry I left without you, Link. Revali is headed back to the village, obviously." He was still catching his breath somewhat and nodded.

"Shall we return as well then, Zelda-sama?" She pondered his words for a moment before sitting back down.

"Let's take our time, shall we? You've only just arrived and I don't want you to have to make the trek on foot again so quickly. Besides, it might be nice for them to have some time alone with Revali. I think he might actually make an effort this time." Link simply nodded and sat down near her…though not too near to come off as disrespectful to her.

Zelda was stricken for a moment by the fact that he still didn't know her feelings for him. Did he feel romantically towards her as well? Had seeing their future selves be such a doting and caring couple made his feelings stronger the way they had her own?

Perhaps now wasn't the best time to dwell on it. She didn't want to confess her love here at the Flight Range of all places. There would be a more perfect time to do it later, once she and Father had figured out how to remove the last of the obstacles in her path to true happiness. That was when her Link would find out the truth of her feelings towards him.

She did scoot a little closer, though.

---

Zelda had been waiting with Link for a little while now in Rito Village, sitting at the table they were originally going to have lunch at. She knew nothing had happened to endanger her past self, not when Link's counterpart had followed after her, but she was worried by how long her conversation with Revali was taking. Maybe he really wouldn't want to come back and speak with them.

She sighed heavily as she remembered his comment about not knowing who they actually were. In essence, he was right. Though they knew a version of Revali, the one in this timeline had never met the couple from the future. Why should he want to spend his afternoon pretending to know people he really didn't just for their sake?

"Maybe we should just go back to the Castle, Link," Zelda murmured, frowning. Her partner scooted closer, reaching out and pulling her into a warm embrace. His eyes were concerned and he spoke in a gentle voice.

"How come? You don't think she'll get through to him?" Zelda shook her head.

"It's not so much that. I'm just starting to think it's a bit selfish to ask this world's Revali to spend the afternoon with us. He clearly has his reservations about treating us like friends and I can't honestly say I blame him for that. I was a bit too naïve in my thinking this morning. You were right – I should have been more realistic about our reunion today." Link squeezed her close and kissed her nose. His lips were warmer than her skin and a delightful little shiver ran down her arms.

"I wanted to be wrong, you know. I was hoping you were right as usual and Revali would be pleased to see us. Maybe a little standoffish, but glad at the very least. I'm sorry if I spoiled your mood this morning."

"You didn't, I promise. I know you just wanted me to be prepared if things didn't go well. Of course, breaking down in tears like a little girl probably didn't help matters."

"Hey, don't say things like that about yourself," Link murmured. "It's not childish to be affected by those words. Nothing about that situation was your fault."

"Link…thank you."

"He's right, you know." A familiar voice rang out around them. The couple, curious where it was coming from, glanced skyward and saw Revali himself descending onto the short bridge that led to the hut they were sitting in.

"Revali," Zelda managed, trying to shake off the surprise of his sudden arrival. Link gave him a light smile as they both stood to greet him.

"Welcome back, Revali."

"Hmph. I live here; you don't have to welcome me back." Zelda watched his hard eyes soften a moment later as he sighed. "Though I suppose I'm not in a great position to take exception to your words when I have so obviously misused my own."

"Hm?" Link's eyes widened just slightly.

"Oh must I say it so deliberately? I spoke poorly earlier." Zelda stepped forward and met his gaze.

"Revali, you didn't know my story; I'm not upset with you for what was said before." The Rito Champion seemed to steel himself before shaking his head.

"Be that as it may, our world's Princess was right – I should have been big enough to admit my fault rather than make such unbecoming excuses, especially when I had clearly caused you such distress. So…although I wasn't aware of your situation nor the weight my words carried…and while I, of course, wouldn't dream of throwing such unpleasant memories in your face deliberately…I apologize for what I said to you earlier, Zelda-sama." Zelda felt a smile tug at her lips.

"Thank you, Revali. I wasn't upset with you but I accept your apology and I really appreciate it. And please, just call me 'Zelda.' I don't wish for you to address me so formally."

"Hoh? Have you finally realized that I should be the one revered by the Kingdom?" His words sounded as sarcastic as usual but there was a note of playfulness in his voice too. She laughed lightly.

"That will be between you and my past self, I'm afraid. In our world, however, there is no Royalty anymore and I don't intend to revive it. So I'd rather you address me casually."

"Though an odd request, I have no qualms about honoring it, Zelda."

"Thank you. And I should also apologize that my reaction caused such a difficult situation between you and my other self." Revali waved a winged hand.

"The fault wasn't yours in any way, I assure you. We had a long discussion and cleared the air between us. Besides, if I had lived through the things you have, I would likely never wish to remember that time either. I must admit, your bravery is truly astounding, Zelda."

"Thank you. She told you then? I don't mind; I just wouldn't want to assume incorrectly."

"She did indeed. She seems to know you well and her feelings for you are surprisingly strong given the relatively short time you've been here." Zelda smiled and nodded at him.

"She really does. Daruk said it best yesterday – she feels more like my sister than an alternate version of myself. I think she feels the same way."

"Am I correct in assuming your Silent Knight and hers don't have the same relationship?" Link raised an eyebrow next to her.

"'Silent Knight?' Me? I don't know how you can use that pet name for me when I've been so vocal with you since we arrived." Revali glowered at him.

"Pet name? Oh trust me, it isn't a name with any positive feeling associated with it."

"He doesn't hate you, you know."

"Excuse me?"

"The other Link, I mean." Revali's eyes narrowed.

"And you know him well enough to assure me of that, do you?"

"Of course I do; I was that person once upon a time."

"…as much as I wish to dismiss you completely, Zelda-sama made an interesting point at the Flight Range. She said there must be a reason she feels so drawn to the two of you. She believes that even though you've never been here physically, she knows you personally even still. And though I don't agree with the extent of her feelings…I must admit I feel something similar to what she speaks of."

"Well," Link continued, "we were considering getting out of your hair for the day and returning to the Castle just before you returned. But perhaps we could sit together and talk about some things first?" Revali considered Link for several moments before gesturing to the table.

"I suppose that would be acceptable. And I see someone brought some extra seats while I was gone. It would be a shame to let their efforts go to waste."

"Of course."

Zelda suppressed a grin as Link responded. She was rather amused that he was being as flippant with the Rito Champion as he was. She wondered if he even knew how to respond when Link was like this. He must be so used to him being entirely silent.

Revali lowered himself into one of the chairs as Link and Zelda followed suit. He folded his wings behind his head and gazed intently at Link.

"Well? You seem to believe your counterpart doesn't look down on me. What leads you to believe such a thing?"

"My experiences in our world, to be honest. Do you know why I never spoke to you back then?"

"I couldn't fathom a guess why one blessed with a voice would choose not to utilize it when asked a simple question."

"I can't speak to the exact reasons my other self doesn't say much, but I shut down and closed everyone out because I was overwhelmed by the stresses and pressures of being chosen by the Master Sword."

"Hm?"

"I was told it was my duty to lead the Champions in our fight against the Calamity, that I was the glue that would hold our Kingdom together alongside Zel. So even though I was terrified of failing, even though I had my own reservations as to whether or not I was even worthy to stand by her side, I refused to speak a word of it. I took that stifling responsibility on my shoulders and never uttered a word of my misgivings for the sake of those around me. That led to me essentially shutting out everyone in my life."

Zelda felt her heart sink and she reached out, taking Link's hand. She knew all this; he had confessed as much across the years she'd known him. After he had rescued her from Ganon, he had opened up to her again just like he'd done in the past. But this time, he was much more willing to be entirely honest with her, perhaps because it no longer mattered that he shoulder his fears alone. Still, it broke her heart to remember how he had basically suffered in silence by her side.

"And you believe your other self has begun feeling something similar? Despite the fact that he retrieved the Master Sword after the Champions were assembled?"

"That's where things get hazy, honestly. His experiences and mine are very different. But at our cores, we're essentially the same person. I may not know why things played out the way they did for him, but I can guarantee you it's because of similar feelings to my own. There's no way he hates you." Revali scoffed lightly.

"You seem so sure of that."

"I am sure. I never hated you in my own world and I just can't believe anyone who thinks the way I do would hate you either."

"You speak as if the version of me you're familiar with didn't feel similarly as I do." Link just smiled at him.

"To be honest, you seem to hate this world's Link a lot more than the Revali I knew ever hated me…and I really didn't think that was possible." Zelda couldn't suppress a giggle and Revali rolled his eyes.

"Hmph. You can't deny he's certainly earned my ire."

"I won't argue that you should completely forgive the fact that he ignores your words to him. But I don't think you really dislike him as much as you act like you do."

"What?"

"Call it a hunch. Would you like to hear something interesting about the Revali in our world?"

"Anything that has to do with myself is undoubtedly worth hearing."

"Point taken. I met your spirit aboard Vah Medoh. Ganon's blight appeared to stop me from freeing Medoh and I had to fight it. After I destroyed the beast, I met you again. You were the same as always in a lot of ways. But…in the end, you wished me luck. Told me you would support me."

"Surely that was simple lip service after a century of nothing but Ganon's brainless soldier for company."

"You gave me your technique."

"…what?" Revali's eyes widened just a bit, all other words seeming to fail him.

"It's true; Zel can vouch for me. You gave me your power, the one you developed from nothing. It was invaluable to me. I'd go so far as to say I truly couldn't have succeeded without yours and the other Champion's gifts aiding me."

Revali was silent as he stared hard at the table before him. Just in case he didn't believe Link, Zelda took it upon herself to back his words.

"Everything Link has told you is the absolute truth. I witnessed him use your power in battle with Ganon. The Revali we knew chose to put aside his differences with Link and support him in every way he could."

"…you'll have to be patient; I seem to have entered something of a state of shock." Link couldn't help but snort with laughter.

"Is it that hard to believe?"

"You have no idea. Though I suppose after being dead for a century, I can somewhat understand my other self's actions. At that point, I would likely do anything to be free of that prison."

"Well, it was you who made that choice, right? He can't have been wrong, then." Link wore a grin as he spoke those words. Revali narrowed his eyes as he cast a sidelong glance at him.

"…it is amazing to me how you can say things that make me simultaneously want to agree with you and to never hear your voice again." Link broke out into laughter at this.

"I hope I haven't been aggravating you too much. I just wanted to show you that your world's Link and I are pretty different people at this point."

"Yes, so I'm discovering," he sighed, rolling his eyes again. "How did you come to be so…talkative anyway? There's certainly more to it than simply ridding the world of the Calamity, no?"

"I owe every bit of it to Zel." She rested her hands on his arm and shook her head.

"I may have helped but you were the one who worked hard to open up to me and come out of your shell with more people."

"Hm. So it was the romantic relationship between the two of you that changed you?"

"In the simplest terms, yes, I think so," Link agreed.

"I think I might fall ill if I witnessed the Silent Knight behaving with Zelda-sama the way you two have been today." Zelda laughed lightly.

"Oh come now, you wouldn't be happy for them? I think they'd be adorable together."

"Of course you do, Zelda – she's you after all."

"Guilty as charged. But still, it might benefit you as well if your world's Link began to open up more. Perhaps he might even speak with you like this someday." Revali rolled his eyes yet again.

"Perhaps. If I'm the unluckiest Rito in the world."

"You say that," Link began, "but now you know there's a version of you that not only came to respect the Hylian knight you despise so much but even helped him. I'm sure the two of you could find some common ground together. Honestly, I wonder if he thinks you hate him so much he feels as if he shouldn't try to engage with you at all."

"…he wouldn't be entirely wrong."

"I'd never think to imply you were jealous of him but why are you so much more hostile with him than the Revali we knew was with me?" Zelda's ears perked up at this. She was quite curious the answer herself.

"While I can't speak to the feelings of the illustrious me that you were acquainted with, I simply disliked the way he refused to speak to me or anyone else. The softer members of our group like Daruk and Mipha were unbothered by this. Even Urbosa, despite her wisdom, saw no problem with him. Zelda-sama herself placed so much trust in him that I was truly baffled. It felt as if I were the only one who saw him for what he was."

"And what was that?"

"An ordinary knight. A simple person without a shred of exceptional ability to him." Zelda frowned but Link just laughed.

"I won't argue with you," he agreed, "I don't think I was anything special in the beginning. I was just decent with a sword. But for whatever reason, the Master Sword called to me and I responded. Even though the Link of this world had a different experience, the end result was the same. Maybe we don't have the powers to lift ourselves into the sky or the ability to heal ourselves completely from the brink of death, but don't you think limitations can breed creativity?"

"…I think I liked it better when you refused to speak at all." Zelda decided to add her own thoughts; she didn't like hearing Link downplay his abilities so.

"While there is some truth to his words, I would argue that Link is selling himself short."

"Somehow that doesn't surprise me."

"…was that a joke about my height?" Link asked, grinning as he raised an eyebrow.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Revali looked pointedly away.

"Must've been my imagination then."

"Must have been."

"Anyway," Zelda continued, resisting the urge to both laugh and sigh, "I do hope you might be able to one day see in Link what I see as well. Did you know I wasn't very fond of him in our world when we first met?"

"Now that is a surprise. The way our Zelda-sama speaks and behaves around him, it is as if he can do no wrong."

"Well, I do think she's right now," Zelda sang, smiling brightly at Link. "But there was a time when I was young and foolish that I resented him for being assigned to protect me. I took my frustrations out on him and hated that he seemed to have his life all figured out. The Master Sword had chosen him whereas my own Sealing magic refused to awaken.

"But as we learned more about each other, I quickly realized Link was far more than I had assumed him to be. If I can offer you my opinion even though you haven't asked for it, I believe this world's Link is similar. I suspect there is much beneath that stoic exterior that you might find more likeable than you'd assume…though I don't expect you to fall in love with him the way I did." This time it was Revali's turn to shoot her a grin.

"Who's making jokes now, Zelda? Unless you were serious…in which case I might become both deeply offended and deathly ill." She laughed lightly, appreciating Link's grin at the same time.

"Oh, it was definitely a joke," she assured the Rito Champion. "But look at it like this – if the three of us can sit here and joke together, then perhaps you might be able to do the same with our other selves someday." Revali shook his head.

"Somehow I can't imagine a future like that. But I must admit, when I woke up this morning the last thing I expected was for the two of you to stroll into Rito Village and tell me stories from a destroyed future where I died. So…perhaps it wouldn't be the most impossible thing in the world."

"Speaking of sitting and joking with our past selves, where have they wound up anyway?" Zelda pondered. Revali shrugged.

"I left as the Silent Knight arrived at Zelda-sama's side again and returned here. I assumed they would follow on foot behind me, though if that we true they should have made it back by now." Zelda just smiled.

"Given that, I suspect Zelda might have elected to slowly return in order to give us time to talk with you alone." Link smiled.

"That sounds like something she'd do. She's really been looking out for us since we arrived here. Maybe she feels a little responsible for our coming here since Terrako was the one who opened that portal." Revali spoke up next.

"I get the sense she watches over the two of you not out of guilt but out of respect and admiration." That was something Zelda hadn't expected the Rito Champion to say but she couldn't resist speaking up.

"How do you mean?"

"When she told me the story of what happened to the two of you most recently, her emotions were quite powerful. Given how passionately she spoke, I've come to understand her anger earlier…even if I took exception with the way she expressed it," he amended, clicking his tongue.

"I wonder if it would've been better if I'd just gotten mad at you for it," Link pondered with a grin. "At least you could yell at me and not have to worry." Revali puffed himself up.

"Oho, trust me, it would be all but impossible for me to not take exception to your words, regardless of what they may be." Link's grin never faded.

"So after such a warm heart-to-heart, you still dislike me that much? Even after experiencing how different I am now?"

"Believe it or not, simply hearing your voice more readily doesn't do much to change my opinion of you."

"I can appreciate that. After all, just because you look like the same Rito Champion that I came to have a mutual understanding and respect with doesn't mean you have to feel the same way. And you clearly don't," he jabbed. Revali huffed.

"Why does it matter to you what I think anyway? I'm not the same Rito you knew in your world. Who cares if I feel the same way or not?" Zelda spoke up this time.

"We care."

"Why is that?" he asked, though his tone wasn't as sharp as it could have been.

"Even though this is a different world, you're still someone Link and I both respect a lot, someone we lost a century ago and regret that we couldn't save you. To see you alive in this world, Revali, is truly a gift."

"Hm…"

"We're not naïve enough to believe you're the same Revali we both knew; sadly, that Rito Champion has moved on to the spirit world far before his time and left us behind. But being able to speak with you is a reality we never dreamed of having again. Maybe that's why we're so insistent."

Silence descended over the hut as Revali gazed out towards the mountains. He wore a complicated face. Zelda couldn't tell if he was unhappy to be looked it so admiringly or just uncomfortable. For all his posturing and blustering, he was more withdrawn than he'd ever admit.

"When you put it that way…I suppose I can't help but be glad to have met the two of you." Link's eyes widened in surprise.

"Really? Even me?"

"Don't push your luck." Link simply began laughing.

"You know what? I'll take that. Besides, I think in time you'll come to realize that neither myself nor my counterpart actually dislike you. Would I still be sitting here chatting with you if I really hated you? Wouldn't I have left after you flew off earlier?"

"…point taken, though begrudgingly."

"You know, if you just admitted to having a positive feeling or two about me, I'd probably just let things go," Link continued, his devilish grin widening. Revali sputtered and recoiled.

"Me? Feel something positive towards you? Perhaps you ought to take up a career as a court jester rather than a knight – I've never heard a better joke in all my days!"

Link couldn't respond for the fit of laughter that overcame him. Zelda felt herself begin to laugh as well, her partner's mirth as contagious as ever. To her utter shock, though, Revali began to laugh alongside them. It wasn't a mocking or phony laugh either; the Rito Champion was actually enjoying himself with them. Zelda had never seen something like this. She had heard stories of how Revali had changed when Link had met his spirit, but she had never witnessed it for herself. Her last memories of the Rito warrior were from before the Calamity. To see him be this way was a rare treat indeed, as if she were glimpsing into a world lost to time.

Zelda couldn't help but feel quite glad to have met Revali again, even if their day hadn't started out as idyllically as it could have. It seemed from here it would continue on much better terms.

---

As the sun began to dip low on the horizon, the four Hylians prepared to say goodbye to Revali. Link was pleasantly surprised by how well the remainder of the afternoon had gone. Eventually, his and Zel's counterparts had returned and the five had enjoyed lunch together. They had chatted and mostly enjoyed each other's company for several hours after that. Revali even seemed less hostile towards Link's past self, something he hadn't expected. Maybe there was a small part of the Rito that actually believed what he had heard.

As the past Zelda and Link prepared to transport the group back to the Castle a short distance away, Zel stepped forward and approached Revali. The Champion eyed her in confusion, but his gaze was far less suspicious than it had been when they'd first arrived. As expected, he had warmed up to Zel the way everyone did.

"Revali. Thank you for making us feel welcome here today. And I'm sorry again that our time together started off on the wrong foot." He simply waved his winged hand.

"It was hardly any fault of yours, Zelda. Surprisingly, the afternoon was tolerable. I might even concede that it was somewhat enjoyable." Zel lit up at his words.

"I'm very glad to hear that. Would…you be opposed to my giving you a hug goodbye?" At this, the Rito warrior sputtered.

"A…hug? Why ever would you want to do that?" Zel just smiled at him.

"I've hugged all the Champions goodbye. Perhaps it's a feeling of sentimentality; it might be the last time I ever see you." Revali eyed her, his gaze ever so slightly somber, before he sighed.

"Oh, very well. When you say it like that, I can hardly refuse, now can I?" Zel just stepped forward and hugged him, wrapping her arms around him as a wide smile lit up her beautiful face.

"Thank you, Revali."

He tentatively folded his wings around her. Link took great care to stifle a laugh as he noted just how uncomfortable the Rito looked. If Revali caught him laughing at his discomfort, he'd despise Link for the rest of his days. Luckily, he didn't notice and a few moments later, Zel pulled away. She had hugged him for less time than the others; no doubt she was also aware of just how uncomfortable the physical contact made him. Link wasn't just about to leave without having a last little bit of fun, though.

"And where's my hug?" he called out, stepping forward. Revali glowered at him as Zel giggled.

"The only way I would ever let you put your arms around me would be if I would quite literally perish otherwise…and even then I would have to weigh that choice quite heavily." Link grinned up at him.

"Revali, that hurts. You won't even send me off like you did Zel?" He huffed and turned his head away.

"Never with a hug; you can bet your life on that. Though…perhaps a handshake would be acceptable."

Link felt himself freeze for a moment. He hadn't expected that at all. He had simply decided to joke around with the Rito Champion once more since that seemed to be the way he chose to show his affections in this world. But he was offering a handshake? He was recognizing Link? That was shocking.

"Uh, sure," he managed at last. Link extended his hand and Revali reluctantly took it, glancing behind Zel to make sure their counterparts were distracted.

"After all the stories I've heard from the two of you, I simply must admit…you are more capable than I gave you credit. Only slightly, mind you." Link did his best not to look astounded.

"I knew you'd come around, Revali," Zel sang. The Rito just scoffed.

"I'll never recognize him as an equal the way my own counterpart seems to have done. I simply cannot fathom any situation where that would happen." He released Link's hand and let his arm fall to his side again before lowering his voice and continuing.

"But I will confess…our afternoon together wasn't as painful as I was expecting it to be. Perhaps there is some truth to your words about our relationship after all. And if, by some miracle, that Silent Knight of Zelda-sama's learns to speak his mind the way you do…well, I suppose we'll see."

"I'm sure the two of you could find some real common ground, especially if you and I aren't at each other's throats after spending so much time together," Link assured him. Revali offered him a short laugh, his eyes almost sparkling.

"Well then, I guess we'll see if you turn out to be right, Link."

"…that's the first time you've said my name all day."

"Don't get used to it. It was a special occasion." Link grinned up at him.

"Right. Don't worry; I'll keep it our little secret." He was met with another hard stare.

"You have no idea how close to insufferable you truly are."

"Hey, if I don't quite fall into that category just yet, that's got to count for something, right?"

"Hmph." Just then, the past Princess's voice rang out.

"Okay, we're all set! Are you ready to head back to the Castle?"

"Yes, we'll be right there," Zel called back before turning her attention to the Rito once more. "You know, we're planning to return home the day after tomorrow. The other Champions are coming to the Castle to send us off. If you feel up for it, we'd love to see you there too."

"…I'll consider it."

"We can accept that for now," Link conceded, grinning at Zel. She smiled back before nodding.

"No matter what, I hope your life treats you well, Revali. You were invaluable in the fight to destroy Calamity Ganon; it's my fondest wish that you'll be able to use your newfound life and freedom to do whatever you dream of doing from here." Revali's face softened and he fixed a warm gaze upon her.

"I appreciate that, Zelda. I hope you and Link can experience the same in your world, certainly after all you've endured. Do take care to preserve your life and happiness."

"I will."

Link had considered teasing the warrior about using his name again but decided to let it go. There was probably only so much leeway Revali would give him before he actually got offended again. But it had been nice to treat him like a real friend for the afternoon and hear him do the same in return.

Finally, the couple from the future returned to their past counterparts' sides and they prepared to transport home. Revali gave them a noncommittal wave from across the way. Link returned the gesture as Zel called her goodbyes to him before the familiar blue light engulfed the four again.

In seconds, the scenery of Rito Village had vanished, instead replaced by the familiar sights of Hyrule Field and Castle Town. As the four made their way across the grassy hills towards home, Zel's past self spoke up.

"Did the two of you enjoy your time with Revali in the end?" Zel took it upon herself to answer.

"We did. I know the day didn't start off very well but thank you for convincing him to come back. Link and I were all but ready to give up and return to the Castle."

"I'm glad you didn't," she answered. "Revali is tough to get along with, sure, but I know he has a lot of respect for the both of you. I just wish he could bury this rivalry with Link once and for all…"

"You know," Link himself began, turning his attention to his own past self, "I think he'd probably warm up to you if you just spoke to him a bit. I know he's not the easiest person to talk to…okay, he's one of the most difficult people in all of Hyrule to talk to. But as much as he may never admit it, he wants you to show an interest in him." The past Link looked at him with a conflicted expression.

"…I suppose I can understand that. It might…take some time to be able to talk with him like you did though." Link laughed.

"I couldn't have done that a few years ago to be honest. Take your time – he's not going anywhere in this world. I'm sure he'll be happy to meet you halfway when you're ready."

"…a quarter of the way, more like," his past self murmured. Link grinned at him.

"Hey, that was pretty good. Approach him like that someday and I bet things will work out just fine."

The group continued on their way, Zel slipping her hand into Link's. He had been worried for a while that their last meeting with a Champion would end poorly and she would return to the Castle dejected and saddened. Fortunately, she was in high spirits and it always warmed Link's heart to see her like this.

As they entered the Castle grounds once more, Zel turned towards her own counterpart and spoke suddenly.

"Zelda, I had a request for you." The younger girl blinked in surprise before nodding.

"Anything! What's on your mind?"

"Would you be willing to teach me the way you use your magic? Urbosa and Mipha both mentioned that during the Calamity you sometimes channeled your magic through your own body and seemed to glow and float above the ground."

"Oh, you mean my Luminescent form! Robbie actually came up with that name, in case you couldn't tell," she added with light laughter. "But of course I'll show you! For how amazing your own magic is, I'm sure you'll have no trouble replicating it for yourself. Can I ask a favor of you too?" Zel gave her an eager nod.

"Of course."

"Would you in turn show me how you use the time magic you mentioned to us? 'Recall' I believe you said."

"That's right – I would be more than happy to teach it to you! Perhaps we can spend time working together tomorrow since Link and I have nowhere else to visit."

"That would be wonderful! I'll make sure to keep my schedule open for the entire day." Link was pleased to see the two Zelda so eager to spend time together. They really were like sisters.

Before he realized it, they had entered the Castle once more, heading towards the wing they all slept in. From there, they would likely all change clothes and have dinner before retiring for the evening. It was already dark, the silver light of the moon illuminated the crimson and blue rugs beneath their feet. The hallways were otherwise silent, most of the day's duties having been attended to long ago.

Link had enjoyed his time with Revali but he was glad the day was over. It had been long and exhausting even though they had returned to the Castle earlier than the last several journeys they'd made. But he was glad Zel had been given the chance to find her own closure with the Rito Champion. It really seemed there was no one she couldn't win over if she tried. Though perhaps this time she'd had a little help from her past self.

The day's surprises weren't finished just yet, though. As they continued down the hallway, Zel chatting happily with her younger self, a large man stepped out into the center of the rug, glancing down the hallway towards the voices. It was King Rhoam himself, evidently surprised to have run into the four of them so suddenly.

Link stiffened a bit. Would his presence ruin Zel's mood? She didn't seem particularly ready to face him and, even after all their discussions about him, she hadn't yet told him what she really wanted from a conversation with the man.

"Father!" the past Zelda called out, waving and beaming at him.

In an instant, Link's past self snapped into a kneeling position before him, his fist resting lightly on the ground. Zel scowled at the sight and chewed her lip, grabbing Link's wrist to make sure he didn't follow suit. He remembered her request and remained standing by his beloved's side. He did politely bow his head in recognition of the King, though.

"Zelda!" the man called out. "Welcome home. And Link, please stand and be at ease. I've told you many times you don't have to kneel before me any longer, certainly not after you saved us all during the Calamity with Zelda."

As the past Link rose to his feet again, Zel gazed between the two in surprise. Link could imagine her shock. She had been so convinced the King would look down on him no matter the situation but it appeared he did no such thing any longer. Before he could dwell on the thought for long, the larger man spoke again.

"How was your visit with Revali?" The past Zelda sighed a bit.

"He and I got into a bit of an argument. But we cleared things up and I think he had a good time meeting Zelda and Link from the future!"

"Hm, well I'm glad it turned out well in the end. With regards to our guests from the future though…" he trailed off before turning his gaze towards them. He drew what Link could only interpret as a steadying breath before speaking again, his voice soft. "I was hoping you might be willing to meet with me tomorrow evening after I've finished with my duties for the day, Zelda. I would be quite disappointed in myself if I let you and Link return to your own world without making the effort to approach you on your terms."

Link felt Zel squeeze his hand a little harder than normal. She was conflicted. Usually, he had a pretty decent grasp on the way she would approach most situations but this time he found himself entirely at a loss. What would she do?

"…I…wouldn't object to that," she managed at last, though her grip tightened on Link's hand again. "I don't think I'd be willing to leave this place without trying the same, to be honest."

"Thank you," her father offered, his voice much warmer than Link was used to hearing. Zel's breath caught in her chest in surprise.

"…you're welcome."

"Will it just be the two of us?" She shook her head immediately.

"I want Link to be there by my side." The King looked a little disappointed for a moment.

"If there is truly no chance of convincing you otherwise, I can accept that."

"There isn't," she assured him, her voice calm and confident. "I made a vow to never again leave Link's side and I intend to honor it." His eyes widened in surprise.

"A…vow? What caused…on second thought, I'll save my questions for tomorrow evening. Since you've so kindly agreed to talk with me, the least I can do is be patient. I certainly don't want to overwhelm you after a long day."

"Thank you," she replied after a moment of silence. Her grip on Link's hand had relaxed again somewhat. The past Zelda spoke up again, a bright smile on her face.

"Let me go get changed and I'll come join you for dinner, Father. I have so many stories to tell you about today!" The man chuckled and placed a large hand on her head, ruffling her hair lightly.

"I would love to hear them all, Zelda. In that case, I'll ask the chefs to have your dinner sent along with my own."

"Thank you! I'll see you again soon!"

As the King bid them goodbye and continued through the Castle hallways, Link chanced another look at Zel. She didn't look nearly as angry as she had the other morning but her eyes were swimming with uncertainty.

"You okay, Zel?" he murmured. She sighed.

"I'll be fine. I was planning to sit down with him before we left anyway. I just wasn't expecting to run into him tonight. I guess it caught me a little off guard." Zel's past self fell into step on her other side.

"I'm sorry you were taken by surprise, Zelda. I…am very glad you're at least willing to speak with Father before you return home. I'm not sure if it will change your feelings or not, but I hope you'll at least gain whatever closure you need for yourself." Zel smiled again and raised her eyes.

"Thank you. You really have been looking out for me so carefully since we arrived here. I only hope I can one day return the favor."

"I'm just happy to have your company; that's more than enough. Besides, we'll have our own fun together with our magic training tomorrow!" The last of the conflict in Zel's eyes seemed to melt away.

"You're right. I'm quite looking forward to it already!"

"Me too!"

Link smiled and gave his partner's hand a gentle squeeze. There were very few people in the world who could help her recenter herself when she was thrown off. Of course, that role usually fell to Link himself, something he treasured deeply. But this time, he was both pleased and impressed that the Zelda of the past had managed it.

She really had come to know Zel so well. The thought of it made Link smile brightly.

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7/31/2023

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Post-Chapter Note: Welcome back everyone, I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter!

So. Revali. When I looked at his character, he also struck me as being different than Urbosa and Mipha in terms of what closure Zel and Link could gain from him. Unlike Daruk, he's not just a relaxed friend either. What I ultimately decided on, though, was that they were able to help their past selves and Revali understand each other a little better. So instead of closure for the couple from the future, the idea was understanding and acceptance for the three that exist in the AoC timeline together. Though of course Zel did get a little closure in terms of seeing Revali alive again.

I went back and forth on making AoC Zelda get upset with Revali but I think it actually did serve to push both of their characters forward rather believably. Of course, I don't think Revali would ever be hateful and mean towards Zel on purpose but it's totally believable to me that he might put his foot in his mouth the way he did and be too proud to admit he was wrong. That said, I also had a great opportunity to write from AoC Zelda's perspective for the first time, something I've really wanted to do since she's become a much more important character than I had originally thought she would be. So I hope you enjoyed spending some time with her too!

Obviously, solving Revali's problems with Link won't be easy and it wasn't something I could do in a single chapter without it coming off completely unbelievably. It took him being dead for a century in BotW for it to happen. I also had the sense as I was playing AoC that Revali was somehow even more hostile with Link than in BotW at any point so I leaned into that a bit more here. It was fun to imagine the ways TotK Link would try to break Revali's preconceptions about him and I settled on him not only being open and honest with him but joking around with him like a friend. I like the idea that even though Revali has such problems with Link that they could eventually just be relaxed with each other like that in another world. And I tried to leave a little bit of hope that AoC Link and Revali could come to understand each other even still, with a little advice from the future of course.

Finally, I wanted to give a little setup as to what to expect in the next chapter. I think everyone can already see the writing on the wall, but I don't mind saying that next time will be Zel's long awaited real meeting with her father, not just a chat in the hallway. This next chapter is the one I've wanted to write since I came up with the idea for this story a few months back, one that has been delayed further than I thought it would be when I decided to rewrite it from the beginning. So I'm very impatient to get started but also very excited to finally bring it to life! I hope you'll enjoy what's coming next!

Okay, that's enough out of me. Thank you all so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter! Two more to go for this story, but I do have something else cooking right now...no spoilers on what it is just yet though. Anyway, take care everyone and I'll see you next time!