Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The rays of the sun shone harshly onto the Gerudo Chief’s sun-kissed skin, the sand blowing into her glimmering hair. Despite Revali having flown ahead of the group it didn’t stop the complaints from those with them, Zelda didn’t like the harsh heat of the sun despite the elixir she had drank, and Daruk wasn’t particularly fond of the sand gettings in every crack and crevice of his skin. Link hadn’t voiced any but she could see just by the look on his face he didn’t want to be here either. 

Mipha had skipped out on the journey despite her contentedness with the idea, her father didn’t even humor the idea when it was brought up at the dinner. But that was to be expected, what wasn’t expected was Revali accompanying them on the journey. To say the Rito hated sand was an understatement, he despised it. 

Which is why it wasn’t a surprise that upon approaching the entrance to Gerudo Town they saw the Rito perched upon a wall’s ledge, looking around, irritated, for them.

Upon spotting them, he flew off the ledge he was perched on, swirling around them before dropping on his claws. A gust of air blew sand at the group but she ignored it, knowing that it most likely wasn’t intentional. She watched him shift on his talons, glaring intensely at the sand.

“Hmph, so you finally made it. I was getting tired of waiting for all of you.” As he spoke he gestured to the guards, glaring at them momentarily before looking back at the group. 

“If you were so tired then you should have just gone in yourself,” Daruk suggested and the older woman shook her head.

“He can’t, voe aren’t allowed in Gerudo Town, at least, not without permission from me.” She said as clarification. 

“ ‘Voe’ ?” The Goron echoed. 

“It’s the Gerudo’s term for man, while vai would mean woman.” Zelda helpfully informed. 

“Which is exactly why I’ve been stuck here, forced to endure sand getting into my feathers as I waited for you all to arrive and give me permission to go inside. Now, hurry it up, I don’t wish to spend this entire visit preening because of your dawdling.” The Rito huffed, tapping his claw impatiently, gritting his teeth as he felt the uncomfortable grin of sand between his feathers. 

“If you keep up with that prattle I might just leave you to roast out here by yourself, then you won’t have to worry about getting sand in your feathers.” Urbosa slyly smiled. 

“Ha ha! Ice cold Urbosa, dare I even say it deserves thunderous applause!” Daruk through his head back as he guffawed, resting his thick hand on his head. 

Zelda and Link followed in suit, chuckling behind their hands as they watched the Rito’s feathers fluff up in bewilderment.

“Well , I - how DARE you- I-” Revali spluttered as he fervently gestured with his wings at the Chief, puffing up his chest at her. 

The Chief Gerudo chuckled down at him, an amused smile playing on her lips, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Calm down big bird I’m playing with you.” As she spoke, she reached down and ruffled the crown of his head ignoring the embarrassed squawk it earned.

“W-well, I knew that of course, I was just seeing if you did.” The Rito vigorously batted away her hand from his head. Then smoothed out his feathers before looking away in embarrassment, folding his wings over his chest. “ Clearly you didn’t,”

Urbosa threw her head back in hardy laughter, resting her hands on her hips. “Sure you did,” She looked over at the two guards stationed at the entrance, chuckling as they straightened up underneath her gaze. “well, you heard the Rito. These three voes and these three voes only shall be allowed entrance into Gerudo town.”

“Of course, Chief,” They both nodded, uncrossing their spears from the front gate and standing idly by, watching them with careful eyes. 

“Be sure to inform the other guards of this during your rounds.” She mentioned as she passed them by. 

The moment the group stepped foot into the town they were assaulted with a ray of various aromas drifting from the market’s stalls, sounds of the sizzling of food over the grill along with the chatter of the citizens filled their ears. They all- except the Chief herself - looked around in awe at the market, bearing witness to the different kinds of displays and goods up for grabs. All their senses felt overwhelmed by all the feelings and noise that surrounded them.

The people were dressed up in garbs of varying bright colors, they adorned their bodies with jewels that glinted in the blinding sun. Despite the growing terror on the horizon, a carefree attitude was reflected in the Gerudos expressions. 

Gerudo Town was truly an amazing town. 

The sweet smell of herbs filled the kitchen as Zelda walked in, the tang of spiciness nipping at her nose. Her sandals unwittingly dragged in sand from outside, spilling onto the sandstone floor. Ignoring it, and the uncomfortable feeling of sand between her toes, the princess looked around the area in awe. The last time she had been here was when she was too young to remember, the baby fat still in her cheeks. Her mother had taken her here on account to see a friend - to see Urbosa - and now she was here to do the same. 

As she takes in the kitchen around her there’s a nagging feeling that something has changed in it but she doesn’t quite know what it is. Sandstone counters aligned the left wall, a cut in the middle for where a cooking pot that Urbosa was standing over was. 

Above the pot and on the adjacent wall were windows with large purple drapes- patterns engraved in the fabric - that opened to the hot desert air. Medium-sized, rustic lamps dangled from the ceiling above, glowing brightly and reflecting against the golden lining around the windows and doors. A large multicolored carpet was sprawled across the floor, and a round burgundy table with a multitude of chairs sat on top of it. There were holes in the walls that held vases and aside from that, nothing really seemed to stand out. Maybe it was just the fact she was taller now.

The enticing aroma of the food drew her forward and before she knew it she had bounded towards the older woman, standing by her side and peering at the food. It looked as good as it smelt.

“What are you making?” Zelda asked.

“Clam chowder,” Urbosa simply answered.

She tilted her head up at her. “Why clam chowder?” She doesn’t remember her ever making those dishes before. 

“Because it’s a recipe that’s started to grow popular among my people, they quite enjoy it so I thought why not give it a try myself?” A fond smile crossed her face and she looked down at the teen girl. “And what better way than to enjoy it with friends?”

“May I help, Urbosa?” The blonde teen innocently piped up, tilting her head innocuously to the side. If it was possible for one woman’s smile to grow bigger then it did at that very moment. 

It felt like someone was tugging on Urbosa’s heartstrings as she stared down at the teen who looked just like she did as a child. How could she possibly say no?

“Only if you go and wash your hands little bird,”

With a beam shining with mirth, she nodded, clenching her fist and furrowing her brows. 

“Will do!” She exclaimed, determination shimmering in her eyes. 

Chuckling, she watched the princess run off only to run straight into Revali, the Rito letting out a loud squawk at the collision.

Zelda held her hands close to her chest, eyes blown wide with brief panic. 

“Oh, I’m very sorry Revali, I wasn’t looking where I was going-“

The bird cut her off with a scoff, his feathers puffing up. “I can tell, I suggest you start watching where you go before it gets you in trouble princess.” He brushed his torso as if to get rid of an invisible coat of sand. 

The blonde girl looked down and the Champion could imagine the frown on her face. 

“Play nice Revali, we’re here to have a good time remember?” Zelda nodded up at her and then ducked out of the room. The bird watched her leave before looking up at the older woman with a glare.

“I was being nice Urbosa,” He snapped at her, a little more forceful than he would have liked but he paid it no heed. “If neither of you could see that it seems like a you issue.”

With a sigh, Urbosa shook her head, ignoring his remarks as always. 

“Did you come here to help big bird?” She teased, bending down so they were face to face. 

“Hm? Please tell me you're not still referring to me with that silly name,” She didn’t miss the way his feathers puffed up.

“As I asked, do you want to help as well big bird ?”

“When you refer to me by the right name then maybe I will,” He stubbornly replied, crossing his arms. 

“Then you can go and be a good bird and wash your hands with the princess.” She teased, grinning down at him. He huffed up at her but left as quickly as he came.

It was the loud stomps approaching the room that told off whoever was approaching it, not that it mattered. She already knew what they wanted the moment they walked in.

“Do you want to help too, Daruk?” Urbosa asked the Goron earning a large, toothy , beam.

“Well, I thought you’d never ask!” 

She smiled at him.

“Well then, you know what you have to do.”

It was just as Urbosa expected, the meal did taste better with friends. 

As the sun lowered over the horizon and the people began to make their way into their homes for the night, Link decided to cut his training short, soon growing bored with the same repeated practice done over and over again. 

Despite how much Link hated to admit it, it was far too easy to get lost in Gerudo Castle, the twist and turns and familiar-looking scrolls and carpets threw him for a loop. It took swallowing his pride and asking a guard for help in order to get pointed in the right direction, but that still didn’t mean he hadn’t gotten lost along the way.

He found the other Champions in the living room, the room that was connected to the balcony that Zelda and Urbosa watched Vah Naboris from. In the corner, right next to a looming bookshelf filled to the brim, he saw Daruk seated on a beanbag chair, a few sand seal plushes surrounding him. A few feet away from the entrance stood a large, velvety red couch, the edges laced with gold metal; on it sat the Gerudo Chief herself, a thin purple quilt draped over the back, designs engraved into the fabric. 

The wooden door shut softly behind him, his footsteps thumping quietly against the sandstone. The older woman’s ear visibly twitched, throwing an arm over the back of the couch, she glanced over his shoulder at him, fondly smiling at him.

“Ah, I was wondering when you’d show your face, how’d training go?” He shrugged, indifferent on the matter.

“Where’s the princess?” Link signed. 

“Come see,” Watching her wave him over with the arm that was strewn over the couch he followed her instructions only to see a sight that warmed his heart. 

On the couch, Urbosa was sandwiched between Zelda and Revali, they had both comfortably curled themself into her side, blissfully unaware of the world around them as they were pulled into the land of sleep. 

It was odd to see the princess in a state of relaxation. A peaceful smile plastered on her face as she snuggled into the Gerudo woman’s arms, cheek smushed against her freckled shoulder. The purple quilt enveloped her figure. Her eyelashes fluttered in conjunction with the occasional snore she let out, and for once, she truly looked at peace. 

Revali had practically melted into the older Champion’s side, his wings tucked at his side he curled around himself, his body safely tucked away underneath her arm. His feathers had fluffed as if to form a layer of protection around him. Oddly enough he didn’t look mad, he looked more peaceful than he typically did, more like the teen he was supposed to be, enjoying his life instead of high on the stress of the upcoming disaster. 

Noticing him staring, with a chuckle, Urbosa ran her hand through his feathers.

“He’s very fluffy,” She looked towards him with a smile. “I won’t tell if you don’t,”

And so he did. Petting Revali’s head he could confirm that , yes , he was very fluffy. 

“They both fell asleep right after eating.” A fond smile crossed Urbosa’s face once, the corners of her eyes crinkling. 

She brought up her hand and tucked a stray strand of the teen’s hair behind her ear. Mirth shimmered in the older woman’s eyes, she stared at the two children with a fondness only a mother could have. It made Link wonder if she stared at him with that same fondness when he wasn’t looking; he desperately hoped she did. 

“My pawpaw always said that something warm in your belly will put you right to bed, and might be joining em’ too!” Daruk exclaimed while gently patting his belly to emphasize his point. 

“You're not going to scare them both awake?” The Hylian teen raised a brow at her as he signed out his words. 

“I’ll let them rest, they’re still kids after all, they need as much rest as they can get especially for what might be coming soon enough.”

“Revali isn’t a kid though?” Link signed, raising an eyebrow as he did so.

“He may not look like it but he’s only a year older than you, he’s very accomplished for his age.”

“That’s probably why he picks on you so much!” Daruk said while letting out a hearty laugh. 

“If only Mipha were here, she’d be so happy that our little birdies were finally getting some rest.” Urbosa spared Link a glance. “You should get some rest too little boy,” Then she looked down at the two teens curled down at her sides and gave them both a nudge. “And you can take these two with you when you go.”

Zelda only clung further onto her arm, mumbling against her dark skin. “ Mmmphh … Fiv’ ‘ore minutes…”

Revali did something similar, his feathers falling downwards. Urbosa just let out a sigh and snapped her finger. The ground shook and Link was sure the entire town awoke alongside the two Champions.  

Bolting from his seat, the Rito flew up with a flurry of air and feathers, letting out a loud squawk. Zelda let out a shriek as a rush of cool air brushed against her, standing to her feet and looking around wide-eyed. 

“Wh-what happened what’s going on?!” She yelped, taking a languid battle stance.

“Has the Calamity started?!” Revali shrieked flying towards the balcony and looking out into the desert's horizons. 

Both Urbosa and Daruk threw their heads back in laughter, grins on their faces as they watched their companions panic. Link watched on with his lips pressed into a thin line, corners twitching as amusement shimmered in his eyes.

The laughter met the princess's ears and she sharply turned around, pouting as she glared at her friends. 

“ Again? Seriously ? !” Her yelling only earned more laughter in return. She stomped her foot against the ground, stomping her heel and twisting it into the peacock-blue fabric of the rug. “You can’t keep getting away with this!”

Revali let out a confused noise, flying over and landing on his talons. He gestured confusedly with his wings. “What? What’s going on here?” 

Only standing up when her laughter truly did dissipate, the Gerudo woman stood up on her feet looking at them all with a firm look. “What’s happening is your both going to bed,”

Stomping her foot against the floor, Zelda stood her ground with folded arms. “I’m not a child anymore Urbosa! I can’t go to bed, I still haven’t properly examined the shrine outside!”

“And I haven’t gotten enough training in, the sun is about to set soon and I only have limited time!” Revali added.

“If you both want to stay up then one of you look me in the eyes and tell me what time you last went to bed if you even went to bed for that matter.” Urbosa leaned down to meet the two’s eyes, hands firmly on her hips. 

“I… ” A wave of regret crossed her face before she tore her eyes away from her, clutching her hands tightly against her chest. “I can’t do this… Not to her…”

“Princess!” Revali squawked.

“Then the matter is settled, you’re both going to bed, along with you as well Link.” She looked over to Link who nodded at her, his head down.

“Urbosa you cannot do this. I am not tired. I-”

“That is exactly what children say when they’re tired.” As she spoke she shook her head, sighing.

Zelda looked at Link and solemnly nodded. Sheathing his sword, the knight followed the princess out of the room quietly. But the Champion stood his ground, stomping his claw against the stone ground. He accidentally kicked up sand as he did so.

“But-” 

Urbosa cut him off.

“Go to bed . Link and Zelda already have,”

Stubbornly, Revali crossed his arms over his chest and looked away, beak held high. He had his eyes shut tightly, brows furrowed with a deep frown. 

Urbosa wondered how one teen could be so stubborn, but then again, that's what teens themselves were notoriously known for, their rebellion against any form of authority. Or maybe it was simply a matter of a Ritos sense of pride, she had learned of many conflicts that were started ages ago from it, but, then again, not many races were many different. Perhaps it was just a Revali thing, it wouldn’t be odd for a teen to have a high sense of self-pride from becoming a Champion at such a young age. 

It made her wonder what was the case and what was really just speculation on her part. 

“I’m not that tired!”

“I will carry you to bed if you keep arguing with me.” The Gerudo replied, her smile painted with mischief.

From the bean bag he was lounging on, Daruk let out a loud, boisterous laugh, hand lying on his belly. Revali shot the gorgon a glare, muttering something that sounded like a swear under his breath as he narrowed his gaze at him.

She really did wonder where the bird got his attitude from, along with his particularly creative insults.

“Shut it hot head! You're not a part of this discussion!” The Rito snapped.

“She’s got a point, I’d listen to her if I were you.” The Gorons words made a smile grow on her face, chuckling to herself with a fist tucked underneath her chin.

“ Tch . I will not allow myself to be treated like a child and be featherbedded like this!”

“Act like a child, get treated like one,”

The moment she stepped towards him, he jumped off his talons and rapidly flapped his wings, wind swirling around the room. Curtains, rugs, picture frames, and vases swayed in their places, dancing in the wind. Making a sharp turn backward, the Rito had no time to react as he collided with the nearby chair and table; sensing her chance, the Gerudo Champion reach forward and grabbed him, hoisting him with ease under her arm.

Letting out an indignant squaw, earning even more laughter from Daruk, Revali struggled in the woman’s strong grip but to no avail. Noting it would do him better not to doubt the determination and strength of the other Champions. 

“Put me down you brute! I can walk!” 

The corners of her lips curled upwards, mischief shining in her eyes. Urbosa slowly clicked her tongue as she shook her head. “As I said before, act like a child- ”

“ -Get treated like one! I know, I’m not deaf,” He grumbled, waving his wings around. 

“I never said you were big bird .” She smiled. 

“And stop calling me that for Godess sake!” Revali squawked. 

“Okay mid bird .” She teasingly replied.

“That’s even worse!”

Urbosa quietly closed the door behind her with a gentle smile. Letting out a sigh, she rolled her shoulders and strode forward, the edge of her lips curling upwards. Sometimes being a Champion could be fun, this was one of the few times it was.

When she accepted the role of Champion, she certainly didn’t expect that half of the team would consist of children, while the other half consisted of adults, at least, in terms of human years, she, Daruk, and Mipha were the oldest of the group by far, while the others were mere teenagers.

It saddened her that child had to be sent out to war, fighting a battle that was supposed to be fought by the adults involved in it. No child should have to grow up as fast as they did. With a frown, the older woman shook away her thoughts, now was not the time to be thinking like this.

She walked back into the living room and lounged on the couch, throwing the quilt over her lap and staring off into the sunset. If only she had something to remember the memories before they all turned bittersweet with time. 

An idea popped into her head. 

Urbosa grinned at Daruk. “Say, Daruk, you don’t think the princess would mind if I borrowed her Sheika Slate for a while?”

Swiftly catching onto her idea, he smiled back at her. 

“Nah, I don’t she would,”

Mipha framed the picture near her water bed and wasn’t afraid to hold over the two teens' heads the next time they all met up, much to their dismay.

Chapter Text

Urbosa felt no need to rule her town with an iron fist. Now when it came to defending it was an entirely different matter. But when it came down to it, she respected her citizens and they respected her, there was no in-between. The same applied to those who entered her town. Whether it be a ruler or a mere child, there was no exception that she saw that needed to be me.

She certainly wouldn’t allow a Champion to be an exception either. This is why this most recent incident sparked an interest in her. She and the other Champions- Mipha excluded - had recently paid a visit to her lovely Town in the Gerudo Desert, they were set to stay there for a week for not only training but to build rapport with each other. Unfortunately, she hadn’t had much time to participate in much of said training, the Yiga-Clan had started to bombard her Town with attack after attack all of which was starting to grate her nerves, all this pointless violence for the sake of nothing.

Brushing her hand through her crimson locks, she felt the grit of sand slip beneath her fingernails and flutter into her eyelashes. Letting out a huff of air, she shook her head, sighing. 

“I’m starting to tire of this,” She said to no one in particular as she walked back to her throne room. She watched as the guards shot her sympathetic looks as she walked down the decorated halls. 

Just one more hour , she told herself, one more hour and I’ll go to bed for the day. Yet trouble seemed destined to disturb her because the moment she sat down a guard raced into the room, standing right in front of her throne with a panicked look. 

“What is it you need?” She exasperatedly asked, leaning on her hand.

“There’s been a disturbance at The Noble Canteen,” They said.

She sighed, shaking her head. “If that’s the case, then I’m sure you can-”

“But that’s not the strangest aspect Lady Urbosa.” The guard said. The Chief tilted her head at the woman, quirking a single brow. 

“Oh? And pray tell me how this situation is so special?” It didn’t escape her that the guard thickly gulped, looking away as they spoke.

“The person causing this disruption claims to be a Champion,” The Chief said nothing so they continued on. “They also happen to be a voe.”

That got her attention, she had only allowed three voe into her city and all of them were Champions. But it didn’t make any sense at the same time. She had drunk with Daruk before, while the other children were asleep they’d typically chat over a glass of whiskey and she knew very well that despite how loud he typically was he was never destructive, he had to set an example after all. So why…?

Urbosa’s brows furrowed as she narrowed her gaze at the other woman. “Tell me, what do they look like?”

“Well…” They shifted their weight from one foot to the other, refusing to meet her eyes. “They’re obviously not a Gerudo by any means necessary.” That got a raise of her brow but she said nothing, why add such odd connotations? “I mean one look at them would tell you that, I don’t even think he’s a human.” 

It took everything in her power not to reveal the pure bewilderment she was currently experiencing in her expression. She knew Gorons were bulky, but describing them like that seemed unnecessary- 

“Even odder he had these feathers on him, he looked more like a bird mixed with a Hylian-” 

A Rito. 

Revali .

“ What ?!” She snapped, standing up straight, her heels loudly clacking against the sandstone flooring. 

Her guard recoiled in surprise, eyes dilating as they gripped tighter at their spear. Urbosa took a shaky breath, shoulders tensing as she swiftly regained her composure. She cleared her throat and gave the guard an apologetic look.

“ I’ll handle this,” She said, hiding the tension from her voice as she walked forward. “Also, I don’t want a word of this to escape this room, no one must know of what occurred.”

The guard curtly nodded. “Of course Lady Urbosa,”

With a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders, standing firm, and walked out of the entrance, dreading what would await her.

As expected, The Noble Canteen was buzzing with activity. People chatted over glasses of scotch and noble pursuits, however, there was an underlying tension in the air, unhidden to those not fully inhibited by their drinks. Then again, if you took one look around the room, the injured Rito pouting in the corner of the room should have been the dead giveaway as to why. 

The moment she stepped foot into the bar a hush fell upon the patrons, their gazes burning into her sunkissed skin. It was easy to ignore their stares, she had been accustomed to them ever since her birth; this would be no different. 

She leaned against the bar’s counter, shifting the weight from one foot to the other. The bartender nodded at her and finished serving her current customer before turning to her.

“Do you need something Lady Urbosa?” She softly asked, while polishing a glass with her hands. 

Urbosa shook her head, giving the woman a smile. 

“No not much, just not a word to anyone Makos.”

Makos smiled at her and nodded, resuming her business. Turning on her heels she walked in stride to the exit, briefly stopping to motion her head at the Rito.

“Come on Revali, you’re coming with me,” The bird hissed at her but followed suit. 

The moment they stepped a good distance away from the bar she turned on her feet, glaring down at him. Emotions built up in her chest, anger, concern, disappointment, and many others. She felt conflicted, disoriented was the one consistent emotion she could pin down. She decided with disappointment.

“What in the world were you thinking?!” She yelled, stomping her heel into the sand. “Do you know how dangerous that was?”

The Rito scoffed at her, rolling his eyes. “I wouldn’t expect someone like you to understand,”

She pursed her lips. “Then help me understand,”

“That’d be impossible,” He retorted.

She laid her hand on her cocked-out hip, staring at him with a stern glare. 

“Revali, that makes no sense,” She chided, her brows furrowing more and more as time went on.

The Rito scoffed at her, scrunching up his features and fervently shaking his head. “It wasn’t in my control… I didn’t do anything wrong!”

She raised a brow at him. “I never said you did anything wrong,”

She watched as his feathers raised, similar to a cat's hackles, and he fervently, with such lucidity, waved his wings around at her, nearly hitting her with his sloppy movements. 

“I had the entire situation handled! If that she-devil hadn’t intervened when she did I-” It was almost impossible to hold back her sigh.

“Don’t even bother with the ‘I had it handled’ prattle when half the words out of your mouth and complete and utter incoherent ramblings.” She sighed, shaking her head she moved to crouch down next to him. “If you're so fine can you tell me what happened to your wing? Look you injured it!” She carefully grabbed the tips of his wings with her hand, extending it to show the gash on his feathers. But very loudly he shrieked at her, making her let go of his wing and eye him carefully.

“Ah, my apologies I did not mean to-” The Rito cut her off.

“Do not touch me you malice-filled creatin!” He snapped at her, glaring as harshly as he could. 

.

.

.

“.. .’Malice filled creatin ’, well, that’s a new one.” Urbosa sighed with a deadpan expression. “That’s it, we’re leaving, I can’t let you roam around in this state.” 

Revali squawked at her words.

“I’m perfectly fine ! And I do not need your help, I-”

She watched as he spoke he tripped over his own wing with a squawk, stumbling right into her side. She sighed, shaking her head, and picked him up from under his wings, stuffing him under her arms.

“Urbosa I-” 

She cut him off.

“I hope you know how disappointed I am in you Revali,” At those harsh words the Rito seemed to vow himself to silence. “To think you’d use your position to get drinks at your age, and not only that you acted so irresponsibly when you did! Not a single adult or person you know in sight, do you how much danger you could have been in? What could have happened if Makos or I didn’t intervene when we did? Do you know how worried we all would have been if you had gone missing or we lost you? It’s dangerous at night Revali, even for a Champion! Do you really think-”

The Rito interrupted her tangent, she expected to hear a lot of things, but what she did not expect to hear was a soft and timid, “I’m sorry,” from the Rito.

Her head snapped around so fast she should have gotten whiplash from it. She stared down at the bird, wide-eyed, lips pressed into a thin line. 

“E… Excuse me? What did you say Revali?” She almost hesitated to ask, not sure she’d like what kind of answer she’d receive. 

“I’m sorry,” He stiffly rubbed at the corners of his glassy eyes, shaking his head. His body shook with a tremor, whether it be due to the wind or the sudden flood of emotions that overtook him, she wasn’t quite sure. “I’m horrible, you all hate me, I’m sorry .”

As gently as she could, she placed the Rito down on a porch’s step, crouching down in front of him with a gentle gaze, frowning to herself. 

“What? No no no , no one hates you, it’s okay.” She brushed her fingers against his feathered shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze.

“I’m annoying, I get on everyone’s nerves-“

“No, stop that , you don’t.” She insisted, a low fire burning in her eyes. “We all love you no matter what you say, and those who can’t look past those words aren’t worth your time. Okay ?”

He only sniffed at her, earning a frown. 

It was odd to see him cry. It felt wrong to see him cry. Like a thin line she wasn’t aware of had been crossed and now all boundaries had been seemingly blurred. This wasn’t the same Rito she worked with, this was a lost child confused with the world around him and what was soon to happen in the future.

It reminded her of a saying she once heard as a young girl, a Rito’s cry is the most sorrowful tune. Birds were often messengers of grief or hope, the songs they sing lending themselves to events that were soon to come. And the song he was currently singing was one about Calamity, a song of worry and strife and anxiety of what was to come. It made sense.

Children were not meant to face the horror that occurred on the battlefield yet here was one doing exactly that.

How long had he been suffering? Why didn’t his parents do anything to help him? More importantly, why would any parent allow their child to fight on the battlefield? She already had questions when it came to Link and Mipha but she knew nearly nothing when it came to Revali himself. Where even were his parents?

Brushing away the tears that streamed down his feathers with a gentle hand, she cupped the side of his neck, her digits spreading out and reaching up to his cheek. She didn’t miss how he nuzzled into her hand, breaking her heart even more.

“Where are your parents, Revali?” Her tone was gentle, sung like a song a mother Rito would sing for their young fletching. The younger Champion squeezed his eyes shut, spare tears dribbling down the sides of his cheeks. Her tone reminded him so much of the ash-coated memories he had of his mother and father.

He rubbed away the tears. “They’re gone…”

A quiet gasp escaped the Gerudo’s lips, her brows furrowing with worry. “Then who’s been taking care of you all this time?” She feared the answer she would get.

And she didn’t get an answer at all, all she got was a whimper as he nuzzled further into her hand with a whine. “I’m sorry,” He warbled. “don’t leave, I’ll be good , I’ll be useful .”

“Oh, Revali ,”  She whispered, thumbing away the tears on his cheeks. She brought him into a tight, warm embrace. “There’s no need to apologize for simply wanting to have company or be loved.”

He unsurprisingly melted into the hug just as she expected.

“I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.” Urbosa said.

“ Promise? ” His voice was hopeful, and she just tightened her hug.

“ Promise .”

The encounter only made her wonder if his smiles held any true lucidity to them. And once more, he remained an enigma to those he surrounded himself with. 

It wasn’t surprising that after that, Revali quickly fell asleep, whether it be due to the alcohol or the stress the situation had put on his system, she wasn’t quite sure which one she’d rather it be. It was easy to carry him, but that fact wasn’t surprising after all, he was a Rito after all.

As she walked her mind wandered back to all those day they spent together with or without the other Champions. The cool summer breeze, the smell of mildew droplets on the grass after a light shower, light scattering through the shades, the howls of the wolves, and frigid mornings on the mountains. The memories of feelings that made warmth blood in her body, causing her cheeks to ache from how often they were upturned, accompanied by mirth twinkling in her eyes. 

More often than not, the Champions gathered together rather than alone, she could name how many times they did on one hand. But one memory in particular stuck out to her. They had come to an agreement to one day meet and practice together, while archery wasn’t her forte she was more than willing to practice if it meant getting along with her fellow Champions. But Revali hadn’t shown up at the stable to meet her, so she ventured out to find him on her own. 

He hadn’t returned from the Flight Range, he had been there all night. That should have been her first sign. The second would have been the glass shards haphazardly surrounding the bottom of the ladder. The third would have been the fact that Revali was sick, or seemed sick. It got canceled as she assured him to the Rito’s infirmary and mentioned they’d reschedule. Now if they did she’d have alternative methods behind her reasons. 

The walk was silent, the only sounds that accompanied them were the splashing of water against the sandstone tiles and the crunching of heels against the sand littered in the streets. It wasn’t long, but to her, it felt like an eternity, her mind swirling as anxiety flooded her systems, poisoning her brain with so many different thoughts and feelings. 

Why hadn’t she noticed sooner?

The guilt weighed heavy on her shoulders, slowly building and choking her like a noose. She refused to let it get the best of her, but she couldn’t help but think about how much she failed them.

As she walked through the castle’s halls, the guards gave her odd looks but she simply ignored them in favor of getting to her destination. The plan was to sneak him into his room without waking the others, she had been as quiet as a mouse as she shut the door behind her with an awkward creak. 

But her efforts were all for naught as just as she was at the Rito’s door, she heard footsteps from behind her, and she swiftly turned around, narrowing her eyes in the darkness. 

“Mmnn… Urbosa? Is that you…?” Rubbing away the tiredness from her eyes as she slurred out speech, Zelda, dressed in a long thin nightgown stood leaning against the doorframe, peering up at them with bleary eyes.  “Why are you up so late? Did something happen?”

Urbosa hated lying to the princess, but she knew Revali’s hatred for having such a secret exposed outweighed her emotions in the long run. Not wishing to toe the thin line that had been swiftly drawn in the past hour, she gave the princess the most reassuring smile she could muster. 

“Nothing you need to worry about little bird, Revali over here just stayed up to tell me something and fell asleep waiting, okay? Don’t worry your pretty little head about it,”

Zelda nodded with a tired hum, stumbling forward to sluggishly hug her. “Night night ‘Bosa,” Shuffling on her feet, she reached up and patted Revali on his fluffy head. “Night ‘Vali,” With a yawn, she droopily stumbled her way into her room.

“Good night little bird, sweet dreams,” 

The princess only mumbled in response, slinking into her room and the Gerudo let out a hearty chuckle as she turned on her feet. This time the door didn’t creak when she opened it, something she was sure Revali was happy about. 

Instead of the usual bed in the middle of the room, there was a hammock. It was annoying to put up but she’d rather that than the discomfort it’d cause her guest for a week straight. Underneath it was a fluffy, azure carpet, silver designs were embroidered, and birds and flowers native to Herba littered the fabric. Lanterns laid in the holes in the wall, decorated meticulously with feathers, with the exception of one whole that had a plush sand seal in it.

Carefully, she laid him down in the swing, grabbing a nearby blanket and covering him with it just in case. Urbosa went to leave but paused in her steps, looking back at him. Then she left and got something from her room, cradling it close as she entered.

She laid the sand seal plush that had kept her comfort in her younger days in his wings, watching as like the child he was, curled up against it, hugging it close to his chest with a smile playing at his lips.

The most important people who were fighting against Ganon were made up of mostly children.

It was unfair . 

“I promise ,” She knew the promise was most likely impossible, but she’d try to make it come to fruition no matter what. “I won’t allow any harm to befall any of you, not on my life.”

Chapter Text

Before you ask, yes, I am working on the next chapter and want to thank you all for your support!! I didn't think people would care much about my writing but you all do and I'm so grateful for it! Just know I read every comment even if I don't respond to all of them and I appreciate them!!

But what I wanted to say- or, ask really- is I had an idea of making the Champions survive/live past the Calamity. As in, after BOTW is all finished the Champions are still alive! I have an idea/way to make this possible and it would be its own chapter but it would be a very angsty/whumpy chapter. So I wanted to ask if you'd all be okay with that idea written out, where the rest of the Champions are alive?

Once again, thank you for all your support! I appreciate it more than you think or know. See you next time!!