The glow of the orange sky above Gerudo Town suffused the sandstone buildings in a warm, golden glow. As a constant, tepid breeze blew through the town, echoes of a party and gossiping could be heard from within one building in particular–the pub known as the Noble Canteen. Inside, several groups of Gerudo women gathered—sitting on couches or barstools, drinks in hand—chatting. However, not all of the guests in the establishment were dark-skinned women. There was also a pair of light-skinned Hylian vai, one of whom was much louder than anyone else there.
"Hey, Furosa! Can I get another Noble Pursuit over here?" the raucous vai called cheerily. She was the taller of the two women, with purple hair covering one of her blue eyes.
"Jules, quiet down," the second, shorter vai said in a high-pitched voice. She was the shorter of the two, with long, shaggy, dirty-blonde hair that was mostly tied up at the back of her head. While both her own blue eyes were visible, she wore a veil that covered the rest of her face. "You're causing a scene. You've had too much to drink."
"What? I'm not causing a scene," the woman named Jules said, a bit louder than she intended, a clear flush to her cheeks. "Lighten up, Link! You worry too much! Furosa, I want another Noble Pursuit over here!"
"I think I have a right to be 'unlightened' right now," the vai named Link mumbled, surreptitiously looking at the Gerudo women around the room. Many of them had their gaze directed at the Hylian duo, and all eyes were full of disapproval. "Maybe it's time to call it a night."
"What? Already?" Jules screeched, almost falling off the couch. "The sun isn't even down! You tell me about all these adventures you have, and yet this is where you draw the line? You're supposed to have fun while drinking!"
"I can't drink for another few months, Jules," Link said. "Besides, this isn't a Hylian bar, it's a Gerudo one, and I don't think the Gerudo drink like Hylians do. It's amazing you haven't been thrown out yet if you drink like this every night."
"I don't drink like this every night," Jules said nonchalantly. "Only when you're around! I'm having a good time with you!"
"I'd feel better about that if we were in Hateno..." sighed Link. After another look around to gauge the intensity of Gerudo displeasure, she decided to stand. "Come on, we're getting you back to the inn."
"Awww, what?" Jules whined. "We're really calling it a night already? You're such a baby..."
"I'm only a year younger than you, if even that," Link said. "Let's go, before they ban you from this place. "
"Ugh, fine..." Jules relented. "You know, you'll understand when you're able to drink..."
"Hopefully that's in Hateno, where we can drink around other Hylians," Link said, meaning every word.
Shaking her head, she held out a hand to her friend. Jules mumbled something in disappointment before taking it, allowing herself to be pulled to her feet. Immediately, she stumbled, needing help to keep herself balanced. The two began to walk out, with Link silently apologizing to any Gerudo they passed, including the bartender, Furosa, whom she stopped to pay, before exiting the bar together.
"Careful down the—hey! Careful!" Link said as Jules almost tumbled off the side of the tall staircase they were walking down. "Whose great idea was it to make a tall staircase up to the bar?"
"Says you!" Jules said happily. "You always do crazy stuff! When did you start getting so cautious?"
"The moment my memory decided to come back," Link said as they came off the last step, her voice noticeably deepening. "The hotel is just down the road, almost there."
"You know, you're a good friend, Link," Jules said as Link wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "It's kinda hard to bond with the Gerudo up there, but you're so easy to talk to..."
"Well, I think if you slowed down with the drinks, you'd get along with them a bit easier," Link suggested. "Though, the Gerudo in there do happen to stay in their own clique. They'll think you're eavesdropping if you try to talk to them, and they don't like that very much..."
"Ooooh, did you get caught eavesdropping, Link?" Jules giggled, stumbling as she walked. "That's a big no-no."
"I wasn't trying to... Okay, I was, but it was for a good reason," Link said, ensuring Jules stayed on her feet. "I got some really nice clothes that help me out in the desert because of it."
"Your travels sound so fun," Jules said. "I wish I was all adventurous..."
"I think you're adventurous in other ways," Link chuckled. "You're fun to be around, Jules."
"You think so?" Jules asked as they came to a stop in front of the hotel, its name 'The Hotel Oasis' carved on the sign.
"I do. I'm excited to drink with you when I come of age," Link said, "and preferably somewhere else. I can't get too drunk here and accidentally reveal myself."
"That's true! That would be really bad, wouldn't it?" Jules asked. Suddenly, she did her best to stand up straight, bringing a hand to her forehead in salute. "I'll keep your secret, even while drunk! I promise."
"Thanks, Jules. You're a good friend, too. You really are fun to be around," Link chuckled again. At this, Jules' face flushed, something Link chalked up to the alcohol in her system. "Go on, go get some sleep."
"I, uh... I will," Jules said, managing to pull herself off of Link's shoulder. "You have a good night, and... Thank you for taking care of me."
"Anytime," Link smiled, placing his hands on his hips. "I've got some things to take care of so I'll be heading out. You have a good night, Jules."
"Y-yeah, you too..." Jules said. With a wave, Link walked back in the direction which they came. Returning his wave, Jules watched for a moment longer before turning back to the hotel's entrance, a quiet wonder escaping her lips. "Didn't he say he was on an adventure to...save someone?"
As this thought floated around her mind, the drunk Hylian disappeared into the hotel, leaving her friend to wander the streets alone. Rubbing his hand through his bangs, Link sighed, intending to head back to the bar in order to apologize on Jules' behalf, yet before he could reach the stairs of the pub, an older voice called out to him.
"Hey, you there," the voice called. "Come over here."
Link paused in his tracks, looking around before noticing an older woman sitting on the side of the road, her back propped up against the tall sandstone walls. She was also Gerudo, her skin lighter than most, though her hair was just as red. While her skin was a little wrinkled and her face looked a bit stern, her voice was kind, even if a bit raspy. When the two locked eyes, Link nervously pointed at himself.
"Yes, I'm talking to you," the old Gerudo said. "Do as I say and come here."
Swallowing, Link moved across the street, stopping when he stood before the elderly woman. Bringing her thin fingers to her sharp chin, the Gerudo looked Link up and down for a moment, inspecting the Hylian "vai's" features as he shifted uncomfortably, before finally speaking again.
"Hm, I figured as much. Tell me: what's a voe doing here?" the Gerudo asked. At this, Link jolted.
"I... Uh... Please, y-you don't understand—" the newly found-out voe tried to explain in his normal voice, but the old Gerudo chuckled.
"Relax, voe, I'm not going to say anything," she said, waving away Link's attempt at explanation.
"T-thank you," Link said, taking a breath to calm his heart. "You have no idea how helpful that is. But... How did you know I wasn't a girl?"
"Surprised?" the older woman asked with a grin. "You might be able to fool all the other vai around here, but you won't fool me so easily. I've been here far too long not to notice things."
"Things?" Link asked, at which the Gerudo snorted.
"Your hair is shaggy even though I can tell you attempted to comb it, your body is covered in scars and yet you wear a fairly revealing outfit that doesn't hide them, and your bosom is nonexistent along with your behind. The only thing you have going for your disguise is your hips, but you don't bother trying to accentuate them. You have a simple walk–the walk of a voe," the Gerudo explained, her tone nonchalant. "Honestly, now that I say it out loud, it's a miracle you haven't been discovered by the guards."
"I think they've been a little distracted lately..." Link admitted, to which the old woman scoffed.
"It's because Buliara stepped down as captain," she said. "If she were at the front lines, things would be in order. Or even if the old captain of my time were still in charge, Rima, she'd probably be able to tell. Maybe not so much these days though, unless she has seen you and simply doesn't care, like myself."
"Maybe," Link chuckled. "Well, I appreciate you keeping my secret, but I have to go apologize for my friend—"
"Now you wait just a moment," the old lady said. "I'm not keeping your secret for free."
Hearing this, Link swallowed.
"Do you have a request for me?" he asked, to which the woman nodded.
"I'd like for you to take a seat and talk with me for a while," she answered. Link blinked.
"Is... Is that it?" he asked.
"As small a service as it is, you don't need to make it sound as such," the woman scolded. "Come, now, take a seat. Since you came all the way here, you might as well stay and chat for a bit. The Noble Canteen is always open. Besides, they know that girl you were helping earlier. They'll be alright."
Obeying, Link took a seat next to the old woman, who smiled.
"Thank you for indulging me," the old lady said.
"It's no problem at all, Miss... Um...?"
"You can call me Muava," the old Gerudo said. "Tell me, voe; what are you doing here in Gerudo Town? Looking for a lover?"
"Hm? Oh, no. That wasn't the goal," Link chuckled.
"Interesting. You're a strange one," the older vai said. "Most men want to sneak into this town because they think they can find easy love here. An understandable thought on the surface, but foolish the more you think about it. Though, you seem to have captured the eyes of that little Hylian vai you were with."
"Who, Jules?" Link asked. "Nah, she's just a good friend. Besides, I... Well..."
Link grew silent for a moment, his eyes glossing over as his mind began to wander. At this, Mauva chuckled.
"I see. You have someone in your heart, don't you?" she asked. At this, Link frowned.
"I'm...not sure," he said. "About my heart or hers. I...I can't remember."
"Even more interesting. A potential lover you can't quite remember," the old woman spoke. "It sounds like you've been on quite the adventure, little voe, and it seems there's still much more adventuring for you to do. Keep moving forward, and live life to the fullest so you don't regret anything. Chase your goals and dreams, just as I did when I was on my journey."
"You've left Gerudo Town?" Link asked, to which the vai nodded.
"You think I could tell you were a voe without ever having seen one?" Mauva asked. "I went on a journey to find my true love, one that was perfect for me. My standards were pretty high at the time."
"High?" Link asked, prompting the woman to chuckle.
"Oh ho, I may not look it now, but I was quite the traveler when I was young, and quite the beauty too!" Mauva explained. "I was so beautiful, it was a rare thing for a voe not to notice me come into a room. When I was there, all eyes were on me."
"And no man caught your eye?" Link asked.
"Many caught my eye, but you see, I had a fairy-tale notion in my mind," Mauva explained. "I'd heard of the Lover's Pond, and I thought I'd meet my true love there."
"Lover's Pond?" Link asked.
"A pond said to reveal your true love if visited," the old vai explained. "I turned down many men and traveled all of Hyrule searching for this fabled place, but I couldn't find it."
"And...what happened?" Link asked, having grown invested in the story.
"I'd grown old," Mauva answered simply. "The voe no longer turned when I walked in."
"O-oh..." Link said, his face falling, yet the older woman laughed.
"Oh, don't look so sad!" she said cheerfully. "I stopped being sad about it myself a long time ago. At least I can say I chased my dreams to the very end. Not many can say that, can they?"
"I guess not," Link said, allowing a smile to form under his veil.
"Tell me, little voe," the older woman asked. "Do you have a dream?"
"A dream?" Link asked. He hummed in thought before answering. "I wouldn't really call it a dream. It's more like...a goal."
"And will you chase that to the fullest?" Mauva asked. At this, Link grinned in confidence, with a hint of sorrow.
"Yeah. I will."
"Then you'd best get moving! You don't have forever," Mauva said, patting the little Hylian on the back.
"Huh? You're done with our conversation already?" Link asked.
"I can't keep you here forever, can I?" Mauva asked. "But, it was such a treat to chat with a voe again. Will you return sometime and humor me again?"
At this, Link smiled.
"Anytime... Hey, did you ever find anything about Lover's Pond, even if you never found the place itself?"
"The only thing I heard was that it may be somewhere in the east," Mauva answered as Link picked himself up off the ground. "Are you interested in finding it?"
"I'm not sure if I'll actively look for it, but I am interested," he said. "I'll keep an eye out, and if I find it, I'll come tell you all about it."
"How noble," the woman chuckled. "Please do. It'd be nice to know my dream was in reach, rather than having chased nothing at all, even if I am okay with it."
Stretching, Link turned back, the last rays of twilight faintly illuminating his exposed skin.
"I'll come back and talk with you again. I promise."
...
Lover's Pond, huh? Link thought to himself.
It had been about a day since Link had left Kakariko, having ridden upon Epona for most of his travels. He had been worried that so much riding would exhaust the mare, but it was clear she had grown impatient from the months in Hateno during the winter, along with the month of no riding while Link was in the Lost Woods. Hence, for most of the day, Epona had done nothing but gallop with the occasional few trots in between to rest.
Happy to let the strong mare get her exercise, Link had been lazily sitting in the saddle, thinking long and hard about what was potentially to come in the next day or so. The anniversary of the Calamity was on its way, and while he had awakened on that day, this would be Zelda's first.
What else could I do for her? he pondered as he allowed Epona to follow the north-western roads, humming a few random tunes as he rode. When I really think about it, she's not an easy person to get something for... She's always wanted attention for the most part, but...things?
While he was lost in thought, Epona followed the road, heading north as she galloped along the roads, passing through the Salari Plain of northern Hyrule Field. Link could feel the temperature dropping. He reached into one of the bags resting on the back of the saddle, pulling out a dark cloak he'd purchased from the clothing store in Kakariko. With a slight shiver, he threw it over his shoulders, clasping it before sighing in warmth as he continued to ride.
Eventually, he came across the stable of the area. Once it was in view, he took the reins and guided his mare toward the fence surrounding the stable. Bringing her to a stop, Link slid off the saddle, patting her on the neck to comfort her as she shook her mane in protest.
"I know, I know," Link said calmly. "It's only noon; we aren't resting here. I just want to check something."
Blowing air through her nose in clear annoyance, Epona lowered her head, as if giving permission to her rider to leave her, trusting that the ride wasn't over yet. Turning away, she clopped a short distance into the Salari Plain, deciding to take this time to graze.
Leaving his mare to her grassy meal, Link entered the stable's property, passing the occasional pine tree and wood-cutting stable workers (whom he waved at), before arriving at the stable's front side. Before he could reach either the counter or the entrance, a voice called out to him.
"Link! Link, is that you?" said a woman's voice excitedly.
At the sound of her voice, Link flinched, before unenthusiastically turning to see the woman who had called out to him. She was a simple Hylian, with hair so blonde it had a greenish tint, and wore the customary uniform of the stable workers. As she quickly ran up to him, Link did his best to put on a smile.
"Hey...Zumi..." he said nervously as the woman came to a stop before him.
"You're back! You never stay long, do you?" she asked. "Don't you think you should stay this time? Maybe for a few days, or a few weeks? Or maybe you should probably stay here forever just to be safe, just like I keep saying, tee hee!"
That last sentence she had mumbled, and whether she had said it just loud enough for Link to purposely hear, he didn't know. This stable worker had always had some strange desire to keep him stuck here at this stable in particular, and it was something Link didn't understand nor want to understand.
"Ah... Well... I, uh... I can't," he said. "I have things to do, Zumi, sorry..."
"Oh, that's no problem at all! You're a busy man! Maybe you'll stay once all of your tasks are done," she said coquettishly, a sparkle in her eyes.
"Hm. Yeah, maybe. I'll, uh... I'll think about that," Link said, knowing full well he had made up his mind a long time ago whether to stay or not. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to know if Beedle is here or not, would you? He always happens to be around when I need him most."
"Beedle? Yeah, he's right inside the tent!" Zumi said excitedly. "Funny how you two run into each other! Maybe I should learn how he finds a way to summon you when needed, tee hee!"
"Yeah, I wish you luck with that," he said, again giving an awkward smile. "I will...see you around...maybe."
Giving her an uncomfortable wave, Link disappeared into the building. Inside, he looked around before seeing the man he was looking for sitting on the floor. He was a tall, slender man, with muscles that Link was quite impressed by, which Beedle had developed from his insistence on carrying a very large, beetle-shaped bag. He wore a simple, form-fitting, sleeveless shirt, with brown hair styled in a bowl-cut, and possessed a very large, red nose that seemed to glow against his tanned skin.
The moment Link's bright blue eyes met Beedle's small black ones, the man grinned brightly.
"Aaaaaaah, Link!" he squealed when Link drew closer. "My favorite customer! My, it's been such a long time! A strangely long time! I thought you finally bit the dust out there!"
"Almost did, but I'm still here—and well now. No need to fret, Beedle," Link added when the man's face grew worried. Hearing this, Beedle's bright smile returned.
"Well, as long as you're okay, ha ha!" he cheered. "Tell me, did you come all this way just to buy from me? After all this time?"
"I sure have," Link said kindly. "You sell a lot of things I didn't even know I needed, and right now, I don't know exactly what it is I need."
"Weeeeeeell, if you're lookin' to buy, I'm your guy!" Beedle said cheerfully.
He raised his hands up, reaching under the little tarp he had hanging over his head from his elongated backpack, and pulled down a little table. With the table in place, he reached back into the pockets of his large backpack, pulled out a handful of items, and arranged them on the table. With his table prepared to his satisfaction, Beedle excitedly looked up, ready to sell.
"Please, check my wares!" he said cheerfully.
His wares consisted of a few bundled arrows, a collection of strange insects, and a large, green amphibian. While a unique assortment of goods, each of them had purpose–at least, if one knew how to brew simple elixirs as Link did. Out of all these items, however, only one stood out to Link.
"You're selling a frog today?" he asked.
"I sure am! Found this guy around the ridge," Beedle explained, enthusiastically picking the frog up. Surprisingly, it didn't struggle, as if accepting it was now a piece of property. "I'd be most welcome to part with him for only ten rupees!"
"Only ten?" Link asked, and after watching Beedle nod excitedly in response, he shrugged. "Yeah, why not. I'll take him. I know a person who would love to...test some augmentations with him."
"Thaaaaank you!" Beedle chimed as Link reached back and pulled two blue rupees from one of his back pouches. "Boy have I missed you. You're one of few that buys... Well, whatever aren't the arrows or occasional hearty radish."
"That just means you have some of the most special items there are, Beedle," Link said, taking the frog from the merchant's hands. "Not everyone knows what they're good for, but those who do are sure to come to you."
"Huh... I guess so, huh?" Beedle said happily. "Hey, that's a good slogan there. It even rhymes! When did you get so musical?"
"I... Hm. I didn't even realize," Link said. In fact, now that he thought of it, hadn't he been humming a few songs earlier? "I'm not sure where it came from. Maybe it's because I'm off to see a friend of mine in Rito Village. He's a bard, so maybe some of his songs are in my head."
"Ooooo, is this friend of yours the one you're getting the frog for?" Beedle asked, raising his table up from his lap.
"Huh? Oh, no; this is for someone special to me," Link answered, looking down at the frog now resting in his hand. "Real special."
"Oooooooh, I see! I'm glad ol' Beedle here was able to give you a helping hand!" the merchant said cheerfully.
After a few more words with Beedle, Link exited the stable, and after escaping the strange stable worker, he whistled for his horse, then broke into a run out of the fence surrounding the premises, Epona galloping toward him. As she drew alongside Link he grabbed the pommel of her saddle, and with incredible strength and agility, he pulled himself into the seat, Epona never breaking stride. With her rider now secure, Epona galloped even faster, eventually reaching the road.
She and Link continued to ride down the road, the air growing more frigid as they progressed. It wasn't long before the two were riding alongside a canyon, where the wind blew cold. From the road, it looked as though it were an ordinary formation of nature, but Link knew better. Below, there was a gigantic temple with bricks even older than the canyon stone itself. Link was sure that at one point the temple had been above ground, yet now it remained embedded in the canyon's walls, hiding what he believed to be the largest goddess statue there was.
He always found it strange how such a massive and important structure could be lost to time; yet, during his multiple excursions into the temple, he'd found nothing other than a shrine and the goddess statue. He supposed it made sense that there was nothing else there, that it was just a grand-scale homage to the Goddess Hylia, and yet...
I wonder if you're hiding anything else, Link wondered. Would Zelda be interested in exploring it? Hm... Not with such a big goddess statue in there, at least not now. Who knows, though? Maybe one day; maybe she'll want to.
He stared intently as he passed the canyon, his eyes focused on where he knew the temple was situated, until eventually, he concentrated on the road before him. Grabbing the reins, he urged Epona faster, heading into the frozen tundra of Hebra, taking the long way toward his destination.
After the winding roads of Hebra, Link now rode through the fields of Tabantha, the region's stone perch standing tall in the distance. With a hum still vibrating in his throat, Link slightly tugged on Epona's reins, sending her down a different path away from the village that was wrapped around the perch. While he planned to head there next, Rito Village wasn't where he was going now. For a while, he followed the new path, circling the perch as he rode beside the lake that surrounded it. It was beautiful, the way the rays of the sun brightened some of the village while shadowing the rest.
Eventually, the path began to veer away, leading into the snowy fields of Hebra once more. As the air grew even colder, Link took a breath, the vapor from his lips disappearing in the breeze. As Epona galloped through the snow, Link tightened the hooded cloak that was around his shoulders, gradually closing in on the Hebra Mountains. Soon, an opening in the mountain's stone was revealed, and it was here that Link finally brought Epona to a stop.
"Good girl," he soothed, rubbing Epona's white mane, now dotted with sparkling snowflakes. "I won't be here too long, I promise. I'll have you back at one of the stables and near a fire soon, just give me a bit of time. Is that alright?"
The mare shook her mane and blew frosty air from her nose. Taking that as a sign of approval, Link patted her neck before sliding off the saddle, planting his boots in the pristine powder surrounding them. With the sound of crunching snow beneath his soles, he walked through the mountain pass, finding his way toward the structure situated on the stone's ledge. Grinning, Link headed toward the ladder that led to the entrance. Two others, however, were already standing on the Flight Range's balcony.
"Alright, son, remember," Teba said, crouched down to the level of the fledgling that stood next to him. "Though you may be flying, you have to keep your focus on the targets themselves. The faster you fly, the more challenging it is to aim."
"I'm trying, but it just sorta happens!" Tulin whined, flapping his little wings about. At this, Teba sighed.
"Tulin..." his father sighed. "Well, if you want to hit more of your strikes, you need to try a little harder not to—"
"Link!" the fledgling suddenly cried, interrupting his father's words. Raising a brow, Teba twisted and looked back to see their visitor walking through the building toward them.
"Well, look who it is," Teba greeted. "And I thought Tulin was pulling one of my feathers to get out of my lecture."
"He wasn't," Link chuckled as he came to a stop before Teba. "I'm here."
"That you are," the Rito warrior said. "It's good to see you, my friend."
Both reaching out, the two locked hands as they grinned. After releasing, Tulin excitedly waddled forward.
"Link! Link! Are you here to help me practice?" he asked excitedly.
"Now, Tulin," his father began sternly. "Why do you assume Link has come all this way simply to help you practice?"
"Aw," the fledgling whined, yet Teba sighed.
"I'm not saying he won't help you practice," he clarified, "but, why don't you ask him if he would help you, instead of assuming?"
"Oh! I can do that!" Tulin said, his exuberance returning as he faced Link once more. "Link! Link! Can you help me with my archery training? I really want to get better!"
"Well, I came to talk to Teba about a few things, but I can help while I do so," Link chuckled, to which Tulin cheered.
"We're working on his focus," Teba said. "He likes to fly a little too fast, and it's hurting his aim."
"I promise I'm not trying to! I really mean it!" the fledgling said. "Link, I really am trying to slow down!"
"Flying too fast, huh?" Link wondered out loud. "Hm... Well, I'm not going to understand until I see it, so why don't you fly up and show me what you've got so far?"
"Oh, yeah! I can do that!" Tulin chirped happily.
Turning, he pulled a small falcon bow off his back and spinted along the balcony. With his wings spread, he jumped into the windy chasm below, releasing his grip on the bow in order to grab it with his talons. From there, the little Rito began to fly around, occasionally shooting the targets dotted along the chasm's stony walls. As his arrows flew, Teba and Link watched stoically from the balcony, both with arms folded.
"So, you've come to speak with me, eh?" Teba asked.
"Yeah," Link responded. "I was wondering... Have you and your wife ever fought? And when I say fought–"
"If this has to do with your winter in Hateno, I've heard about it," Teba said. "Sounds like you and Zelda really got into it."
"Yeah, to put it lightly," Link said. "My question is, how do you separate...your life as a warrior, and your life as a lover? I don't know where it came from, but recently I've been thinking back to how I acted. It's so vivid in my mind, it's like I can see myself in front of me, and... If that's how I was, then I'm disappointed Zelda had to see it."
"Hm. I see," Teba said as Tulin quickly flew by, a strong breeze blowing past himself and Link. "Tell me; do you remember when you and I first met?"
"Yeah, it was right here," Link said, to which Teba nodded.
"It was, at this very range," the Rito said. "It was during Medoh's attack, and I was sitting on this balcony, preparing to go fight the Divine Beast once more. Looking back..."
Teba chuckled, looking back at the spot on the balcony where he once sat. It was as if he could see himself tightening a bow, one he believed would do damage to Vah Medoh back then.
"I was preparing for nothing other than death," he finished with a grin. "If you remember that, then you also remember who it was that sent you to come find me, I'm sure."
"The elder and...your wife," Link said, now seeing where the conversation was headed.
"She and I fought that day," Teba explained, "and the days before, but that day was one of our worst, and I was acting like a fool. I even managed to drag Harth into my suicide mission. I almost cost both of us our lives. It's a miracle we both stand here today. Point is, Saki saw a side of me that day, one it hurts to admit is there, but is nonetheless. The thing is, there is no separating it."
"You don't think so?" Link asked, watching Tulin fly by again.
"I know so," Teba said. "We're warriors, Link. It's a piece of us we can't just put away when we feel the need. It'll always be there in some way, and sometimes, the weight can get a bit much. That's the reality of the job."
"Hm..." Link grunted, as Tulin fired an arrow at a target while in the air.
"The thing is, we just need to leave it as a piece of us, and nothing more," Teba said. "We can't allow it to consume our entire being. We're more than that, and it's something we must always remind ourselves.It's also something our lovers understand."
While his eyes were still locked on the flying fledgling, Link's ears twitched at this, and it was something Teba noticed.
"Do you believe Saki doesn't know whom she married?" Teba chuckled. "She knows who I am, and that's why she fought so hard with me back then. She recognizes when I'm in over my head, and she does her best to bring my head out of the clouds I find myself flying in from time to time. I'd like to believe the princess knows who it is she fell in love with as well: a champion, and a hero."
"Yeah. I'd like to believe that too," Link said with a smile.
"See? You get it now," Teba said. "But don't forget, just because they understand, doesn't mean they'll accept everything we do, if their reactions to some things haven't already made that clear. It's our job to recognize when they're right, and when to...tone it down a notch."
"Right. That's something I can definitely do," Link said. Suddenly, as Tulin flew by again, his brow twitched. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he yelled, "Hey, Tulin! Come back down here!"
"Hm? What's wrong?" Teba asked as Tulin flew back toward them. "Did you notice something with his archery? I noticed he's still moving a bit too fast."
"I think I do notice something," Link said. "If I'm right about this..."
Before Teba could ask what he meant, the fledgling landed on the balcony with a light thud.
"What's up?" Tulin asked as he waddled toward Link. Suddenly, the bird's face fell. "Do you think I'm flying too fast?"
"You're definitely going fast," Link said, crouching down. "But, it might really not be your fault."
"You believe me?" Tulin asked excitedly.
"You believe him?" Teba asked curiously.
"Didn't you feel something when he flew by us the last few times, Teba?" Link asked, inspecting the fledgling up and down. "The breeze that blew past us each time?"
"The breeze? Yeah, I noticed it," Teba said. "What about it? You'll feel a breeze if a Rito flies by you."
"Yeah, but not with these updrafts," Link clarified. "I've only met one other Rito that could cause a breeze stronger than those of the Flight Range."
Suddenly, Teba's eyes grew wide.
"Link, you don't mean–?" he began, stopping when Link looked at him with a knowing look in his eye.
"I do," he answered. "I think Tulin can do it."
"Do what? Do what?" the little fledgling asked. "Don't leave me out!"
"You said you can't control your speed," Link began, still crouched before Tulin as he looked into the fledgling's large blue eyes. "Do you feel anything strange while you're flying?"
"Anything strange?" Tulin repeated. The little bird waddled around in thought before giving a little jump. "Oh! I do feel a little tingle! It's near the ends of my feathers!"
"Hm..." Link hummed. "Come here, Tulin."
The little bird waddled back to Link, curious as to what the hero wanted to say.
"When you're about to fly, I want you to take a moment to breathe," Link began to explain. "I want you to crouch down—"
As he spoke, he leaned forward, placing his fists on the wood of the range's balcony.
"—and then I want you to close your eyes," he continued, closing his own eyes. "Focus on that tingle, let it build up, and then: whoosh!"
"A whoosh?" Tulin asked excitedly.
"A whoosh," Link said, standing and stepping back. "Can you do that for me?"
"I sure can!" the little fledgling said. Turning his little back toward Link and his father, he crouched down just as Link had, the feathers of his wings now touching the wood. "Okay!"
Closing his eyes, he stayed crouched for a moment, trying to feel the tingle that he had mentioned before. As he crouched, Teba quietly leaned over.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, to which Link gave a tiny grin.
Before he could answer, a gust of wind began to blow from beneath the young Rito. With a laugh, Tulin flapped his wings, shooting up into the sky with the gales propelling him. Teba watched in awe as his son shot into the air while Link chuckled, though it was quickly obvious that Tulin himself also hadn't expected his own speed. With a yelp, he began to spin in the air, then tumbling over the range and toward the mountain walls above. Noticing this, the Rito warrior darted forward while spreading his own wings and jumped into the chasm's constant updraft, flying after his son.
Link watched as both Tulin and his father disappeared over the stony walls of the mountain. He remained in place, waiting for a few moments, before eventually Teba came back into view, returning to the range with Tulin riding on his back.
"That was amazing!" the fledgling called as his father landed back on the balcony. Jumping down from Teba's back, Tulin waddled back over to Link, now hopping on his little talons in front of the hero. "Did you see that? I went so fast and high!"
"I did," Link chuckled, placing a hand on the bird's feathery head. "You were just like Revali. It's just like the power he had."
"To have a power like Revali's," Teba said. "And at such a young age, too... You may have the gift, son."
"You think so?" Tulin asked.
"I do, but that doesn't mean it'll be easy," Teba said.
"Your dad's right," Link said. "Because you can move so fast, you'll have to work extra hard to learn to aim at those speeds, just like Revali."
"Master Revali worked super hard?" Tulin asked.
"He was one of the hardest working people I knew back then," Link answered. "You'll have to work just as hard as him. Can you do that?"
"I can! I will!" the little fledgling said confidently. "I promise I will! I'll be just like Master Revali, like my dad, and like you, Link!"
"Like me?" Link asked, to which the little bird nodded.
"Yeah! You're a hero! The hero that saved Hyrule!" Tulin said. "Celessa and Princess Zelda told us all about your other adventures! I want to have adventures just like you!"
"You spoke with Zelda?" Link asked, prompting Teba to loudly clear his throat.
"Tulin, why don't you keep practicing?" he asked. "No better time than now. Go on, but be careful with that power of yours."
"Right!" Tulin said. With a flap, and a much lighter breeze than before, the fledgling flew back into the chasm, firing his arrows at the targets once more.
"I'm assuming Zelda came to speak with Kaneli about her reclaiming her title, huh?" Link asked as they watched Tulin fly around again.
"That, and a few other things," Teba admitted. "Unfortunately, I don't think it's mine or Tulin's place to say—"
"If it's about Lurelin, I know," Link said. Catching Teba's eye, he corrected himself. "I mean, I know I'm not supposed to know anything specific. I get it."
"Well, that makes me feel a bit better then," Teba chuckled. "The talk we had before Tulin went flailing away... Was that all you wished to speak to me about?"
"Actually, I did have another question," Link began. "Do you ever...have trouble getting gifts for your wife."
"Oh boy," Teba sighed. "Good luck with that one, Link. I'm admittedly awful with shopping for my wife. Every woman is different, and the only ones that know them best happen to be their significant others. Unfortunately, I don't know the princess the way I know you, so your best bet is to think hard and listen carefully to the things she's said before."
"Yeah, that makes sense," Link said.
"Might I suggest you ask Kass," Teba suggested, placing his feathery hands on his hips.
"Kass is home? That's rare," Link said, causing Teba to laugh.
"That bard and the princess have traveled together before," the Rito warrior said. "Maybe he'll help you pluck out a few ideas. I can fly you over to the village if need be."
"Nah, I'll ride," said Link. "I don't want to leave Epona out there in the snow, plus it looks like you've got your wings cut out for you here with Tulin."
"You are right about that," Teba sighed. "Thank you for helping us both see his potential. He really does look up to you."
"I guess I'll just have to be a good role model," Link said with a grin. "Just like his father is."
The two chuckled between themselves before resuming observing Tulin fly around the range, just as the Rito Champion had in the past.
...
The moon hung high above the Tabantha Region, its pale light shining down upon the region's iconic perch. It was a beautiful sight to see, and Link took a moment to gaze upon its silent beauty as he leaned against the counter of Rito Stable, only pulling his attention away at the call of the stable master coming around the building.
"Epona is put away and comfortable," the stablemaster said, wiping his hands against his uniform. "You said you'll be back for her tomorrow, right?"
"I sure will be. I appreciate it, Galli," Link said with a grateful smile.
With a nod from the stablemaster, Link pushed himself off the counter and walked through the forest, heading toward the collection of long rope bridges suspended above Lake Totori to Rito Village. After crossing the bridges, he climbed the stairs and passed under the village entrance, where he greeted the guards (one of whom told him he had seen his lady friend recently) and passed by the goddess statue standing silently in its niche on the landing between staircases. Heading further up the stairs and ramps curving around the stone perch, he entered the inn, where the innkeeper stood waiting for him.
"Link! It's good to see you, and so soon after seeing the princess," the innkeeper said.
"So, word is already getting around, huh?" Link asked, beginning to unstrap the baldric holding his sword and shield.
"Everyone's excited for what's to come!" the innkeeper said excitedly. "Things have been the same for so long, and they got scary once Vah Medoh was hovering above us! We could've used the help, and if things go well with this reconstruction, we'll be able to ask others for it if something happens in the future! This could really benefit the Rito and others!"
"You're right, it could," Link said, placing his weapons by one of the beds. "I'm glad you all are taking the idea so well."
"We sure are; the elder is super happy to have met the princess that knew Champion Revali," the innkeeper said. "To think, we have the princess, and a descendant of the Hylian Champion!"
"Ah, they didn't manage to convince him I'm the actual Hylian Champion, huh?" Link chuckled, to which the innkeeper raised a curious eyebrow. "I guess they can't throw too many things at once at the old owl. Just one bed for the night please."
"Only one night? You Hylians, always running off so quickly," the innkeeper said. "That'll be twenty rupees for a standard, eighty for a down bed."
"Just a standard is fine," Link said, returning to the desk with his hand in his back pouch. Pulling out a red rupee, he handed it over to the innkeeper, who took it with a smile.
"Thank you for choosing the Swallow's Roost again, Link," the innkeeper said cheerfully. "Now, don't be a stalkoblin and get some rest soon!"
"I will in a bit; I still have someone I need to talk to, even if it's a bit late," Link said as his pointed ears twitched. "In fact, I can hear his accordion from here."
"Ah, looking for Kass? I can't blame you for wanting to stay up late to meet with him. He's seldom in town for long, but a joy when he is," the innkeeper said. "Your bed will be ready for you whenever you're ready to turn in for the night!"
"Thanks, Cecilia. I'll be back," Link said.
With a small wave to the innkeeper, he left the inn, heading up the stairs and ramps of the village again, before eventually reaching the balcony beside the shrine near the top of the village. On the balcony stood the blue-feathered, accordion-playing parrot Link had become friends with. As he stepped forward, the bard's notes grew quieter, having heard the footsteps of his visitor. The Rito glanced back, smiling when he saw Link approaching.
"Well, hello there, my friend!" he said cheerfully.
"Kass, it's good to see you," Link said with a grin. "Really good. It's been a long time."
"Quite; not since the end of the autumn season," Kass said cheerfully. "Tell me: how are you faring?"
"Come on, I know you heard the story from Zelda," Link said.
"So, you heard," Kass hummed musically.
"Only what I should know, not what I shouldn't," Link said, taking a seat on the balcony's edge next to the Rito's talons. "Teba filled me in."
"I see," said the bard. "So, you plan to head to Lurelin soon to see what it is the princess has planned for you, I assume?"
"In a few days, yeah," Link said. "I was told I can't go for a week, and it's been about two days since then. I've got a few more days to kill, so I've just been riding around, really taking in everything I've learned."
"You don't say?" Kass asked, playing slow notes on the instrument between his hands.
"I want to be better," Link answered, looking out into the mountains of Tabantha and Hebra. "I want to enjoy being me again, to spend time with Zelda and actually enjoy it, to learn from my mistakes... I want to live again."
"All wonderful goals, that's for sure," Kass said happily. "Did you learn this all from the trials you're taking?"
"I...think so?" Link said. "It just feels like after I finish a trial, I have these new ideas in my head, but no reason as to why I learned them. I just...know them now."
"Very curious," the Rito said, "but, it doesn't matter how you got the ideas, only that you have them, and you put them to good use, wouldn't you say?"
"Yeah," Link said. "It's not just the Master Sword I have to thank, though. Sidon of the Zora, Yunobo of the Gorons, Zelda, Teba... I've received such good advice from them all. They've all really helped me a lot, including you, Kass."
"Me?" Kass asked, still playing his notes. Link nodded.
"I never really got to thank you," he began. "And I mean actually, thank you. For all the songs, all the guidance, and the help. Without you, I wouldn't be here right now. Zelda wouldn't be here right now. You and your songs made everything possible."
"Ah, my dearest friend, I've done nothing but play the songs my teacher taught me," Kass said, yet Link shook his head.
"And if you hadn't, I'd still be wandering around," he said. "I'd still be trying to figure out shrines, where they are... The Calamity would still be a threat, and Zelda would still be in that tower holding him back the best she could. Heck, without one of your songs, I wouldn't have guessed Zelda might've been in love with me. It would have taken a lot longer for me to have put it together. Your songs are really important to me, Kass. I hope you know that."
"I... Well then," Kass said, his notes slowing even further as he stood in thought. "Your words move me, Link. I believe you've just helped me make a critical decision; one that I've been mulling over for the past few months."
"I have?" Link asked. "Just saying thanks?"
"Words have power, my friend," Kass said, his notes playing faster again. "While the notes played on the instruments are nice, in most cases, it's the lyrics that tell the truth of the story. They are what hold the weight and meaning of the song, and I believe it's time I write my own lyrics."
"You're gonna write your own song?" Link asked. "I'd like to hear that."
"I'll show you and the world my songs, for you've shown that even a simple bard can make a difference in these lands," Kass said with a bright smile. "I thank you, Link, for all you've done as well. For me and my family, for the Rito and our village, for the princess...and for Hyrule."
Returning Kass's smile, Link continued to sit on the balcony, listening to the notes the bard played, until eventually he spoke again.
"Hey, Kass..."
"Yes, my friend?"
"I'm trying to think of a gift for Zelda," Link said. "And I'm having a little bit of a hard time. You wouldn't happen to have any ideas for me, would you?"
"A gift, you say?" Kass asked, still playing his soft notes. "Hm... As a matter of fact, something does come to mind. It's a song you'd be able to play, something I'm sure would mean a lot to her, if you'd be willing to learn, that is..."
"A song to learn, huh?" Link wondered. After a moment, a tiny smile appeared. "Well, I have been feeling strangely musical lately, and I've been told I'm good at a lot of things. Yeah, let's do it."
"Wonderful," Kass said happily, before thinking to himself, Well, Princess, it seems I'll be headed to your festival after all.
As the early morning sun began to rise in the sky, Zelda was already up and hard at work, standing barefoot on the wooden docks as she spoke with the hunchbacked elder of Lurelin.
"And you're sure the Zora will be allowed to fish in the ocean?" she asked, typing down notes in the Sheikah Slate as she spoke. "I know the villagers here spent so much time fishing on their own, but I'm sure the Zora will need even more in order to take back home with them. It would really help them out."
"By all means, young Princess, we don't mind at all!" the elder said with a raspy laugh. "We don't own the ocean itself, we just happen to live by it, is all. By all means, the Zora are more than welcome to fish in our waters."
"I do truly thank you for allowing it regardless," Zelda said, giving the short man a light bow. They've had a hard time fishing in their rivers this winter, so this will help them tremendously."
"All the more reason they should visit!" the old man said. "Tell me: would the prince of the Zora be heading down as well?"
"Yes, he will be," Zelda answered. "Is there a reason you ask?"
"That prince saved a few of us from a large beast back in the day," the elder said. "It'd be nice to thank him once again, even after all this time."
"I believe I remember hearing about that a while ago," Zelda said, thinking back to the times she had been in the domain with Link. "He'll be happy to hear your thanks, though I'm sure he'll say it wasn't a problem."
"Princess!" a voice called from behind. Zelda turned to see both Paya and Celessa running from the sand and onto the docks toward her.
"What's wrong?" the princess asked as they came to a stop before her. "Did something happen?"
"Yeah something happened! The Stable Trotters are here!" Celessa said excitedly, pointing toward the village entrance.
Glancing over, Zelda saw the group of musicians in their cart as their horse pulled them into the sand. At the sight of this, Zelda smiled.
"That's wonderful! Perfectly timed as well," she said cheerfully. "Celessa, would you mind going to greet them for me?"
"You don't want to see them yourself?" Celessa asked curiously.
"I do, and I will, but first, I have to go pick up our first major guest," Zelda answered. "Sidon told me to return and tell him when the festival is, and I plan to simply teleport him and the rest of the Zora here. I'd rather do it now than later in order to gain a few extra hands."
"Hey, that's some pretty good thinking!" Celessa said. "Yeah, sure, I'll greet them. That's no problem."
"I-Is there anything you'd like me to do, Princess?" Paya asked.
"If you could see how the decorations are coming along, that would be great," Zelda said. "It would also be nice if you could tell Traysi to get us an idea of just how much fish we have so it's ready for the Zora when they arrive. Can you do that for me?"
"Y-yes! Right away, Princess!" Paya said with a quick bow before hurrying off to find the reporter.
"You want Traysi taking count of all the fish?" Celessa asked as Zelda returned her attention to the Sheikah Slate.
"Truthfully, I know she'll be annoyed by such a task," Zelda admitted. "But, it would be helpful for her to get something done before Sidon arrives, because once he does—"
"Her interrogation will begin," Celessa finished. "Yeah, that sounds about right."
"Indeed. Alright, I wish you the best of luck with the Stable Trotters. Tell them I'll greet them soon," Zelda said. After receiving a salute from Celessa, the princess tapped her finger on the slate's screen, and in a flash of blue light, she vanished.
"I'll never get used to that," the old man said, watching the strings of light fly away.
"I dunno, you'd be surprised. Give it some time," Celessa replied. "It gets strangely normal after a while."
**Hey there! The Couple of the Wild Audioplay is out to watch now! This is a new way to enjoy the story, with amazing voice actors like WanderingNightengale (EmtheVA) and Rizibility, awesome sound affects done by the ComiSquad, music by Benthoven Music and Tim de Man, and top tier Zelda art by Hanabelink and LunarChibistry! If you wanna hear Link and Zelda from this story acted out in amazing quality, you can search up "The ComiSquad DX" on YouTube and you'll find it there!
If you go to the video, leave some comments~! Now, onwards to the end of this story!**
Kenny