Chapter Text
Contrary to popular belief, Revali doesn’t enjoy complaining… or at the very least, he didn’t like having the reputation that he did so; it was belittling to the rest of accomplishments.
And given that he was one of the youngest members of this ‘party’ (his cheeks still hurt from Urbosa pinching the remaining red feathers he has, and Daruk’s grating laugh still scarred his hearing), he had enough trouble as it was when it came to that to last a lifetime.
After all, not all of them could be as privileged as to just have a tasteless sword do all the work for them…
And yet, given these circumstances, Revali found it especially difficult to clamp down his beak. Even more so after he ran out of excuses to fly around the area (nobody else in existence would ever scout a map of these surroundings as thoroughly as he had done), and his pacing was literally starting to create a path in the grass… keeping himself from snapping at both Urbosa’s amused looks and Mipha’s concerned glances, certainly didn’t make it any easier on him either.
Not to mention, given their circumstances… honestly, Revali finds it unfair to be unable to complain without repercussion, because who could honestly blame him?
It’s been hours of waiting today, after days of turning every rock and tree to find this place to begin with, after months since this whole thing began, after countless fruitless attempts that were just like this one. It’s hard to keep being patient/optimistic, it’s got nothing to do with his age or ‘lack of patience’!
Not his fault that the others refuse to be honest about their feelings over this.
… though he supposes forcing them to face all of this, when it no doubt haunts their sleep just as much as it does his, is equally pointless. Especially since he knows from experience by now that venting and arguing doesn’t make him feel any better (or at least, not with the ones here right now) anyway.
So even though it’s frustrating, Revali eventually sighs and plops down on the nearest rock, glaring with frustration beyond them. Which the other conveniently stray their gaze from, go figure.
However, his action only makes Mipha turn even more obviously concerned, and Urbosa appears to turn downright disappointed. What gives???
Bah, women… remind him again, to turn down the many proposals he’s sure to receive back home, once this journey of theirs is all done. For the next ten years, that is, for he knows it would be selfish to not have anyone to pass his talents down to.
As he’s so lost in his thoughts, he’s the last one to perceive the addition of a noise from afar, and consequently, is the last on to snap his head towards it; or more precisely, beyond them, on the ledge of the rocks that hides and entrance behind this waterfall (that was way harder to find than it had any right to, given how obvious a location it was in hindsight), are the Princess and her Knight, slowly making their ways towards them.
Now, by this point, Revali was beyond nurturing any hopes that his ‘holy’ pilgrimage they went on —he understood why King Rhoam had sent them on it, mind you, but it did not change the fact that it had little chances of bearing fruit— shortly after the Princess’ 16th birthday… because really, did it many how many holy places they shoved Zelda to pray into?
If the Gods did not want to talk to her, then a change of scenery wasn’t going to do anything to change that. Similarly, if they did want to answer her, they could do so from her personal bathroom; or at least, that was Revali’s line of thinking.
(And he knew in his heart, was correct, but even he knew better than to voice that.)
Now, he knew that the King thought that the Princess just wasn’t tapping into her powers ‘enough’, and that enough training would unlock them… but call Revali a softie (which surely no one in this party ever would, hmph!), but he truly didn’t think that was the case. And not just because holy powers or whatever weren’t his forte at all, but because he knew very intimately what true, bone crushing training looked like, and that was exactly what the Princess had been doing since he met her.
Zelda’s true passions might be elsewhere, yes, but the sheer amount of effort she’s been putting in, never mind her lineage, means that she should have seen some results by now. Something similar to Mipha’s, if nothing else. The fact that she had nothing but misery and frustration to show for all of it, can only mean one thing: the Gods do not feel like answering at this moment. That is that.
It is especially poignant considering the fact that a certain sword strapped to someone else’s back right now is proof that it’s not like the Gods are gone, or stuck in a deep sleep, or gone deaf.
Or are even that picky.
Therefore, Zelda’s downtrodden expression right now is not much of a shock, even if there is something else tainting that Revali can’t quite identify; he’s not that familiar with other species, so he has difficulty with all their nuances and this is not that surprising or concerning. Perhaps the poor girl is finally hitting her breaking point.
Revali doesn’t even judge her for it.
What is shocking though? Enough to make everyone flinch back, and Revali almost slides off the rock he’s resting on like a buffoon?
Link’s face.
Even for Revali, it was unmistakable; though the Knight remarkably attempted to keep to his usual stoic expression, he could not stop his eyes from trembling, nor could he keep his steps as gracefully steady as he usually did. He also very deliberately turned his head towards where they were all sitting, only to catch himself, tense up and avert his gaze straight ahead in a manner that was so unnatural, he might as well be a Guardian instead of a Hylian.
And that, is why Revali almost ended up in a very undignified position on the grass… because if Link was reacting this obviously and this intensely?
Oh yes, something had happened this time… and nothing good could come out of it.
Revali tenses up and grabs hold of his bow as he steadies himself straight, expecting to hear the sounds of the Calamity crashing upon them at any second. However, he refrains from getting ahead and flying into the two’s faces to demand answers right now, a part of him not wanting to face up to whatever news they’re about to get.
And for once, everyone else seems to agree with him, as they get up and do much of the same. For all the squabbles and outright arguments this mismatched part has partaken in so far, the air between them has never felt this tense and despondent.
………………..
………………………..
And eternity seems to pass before Zelda and Link reach them. Once they do so, Link lowers his head, predictably leaving Zelda with the task of informing them all (with, you know, the voice that she actually uses!)… but yet again, for once, the Princess does not seem frustrated with her incompetent knight at all.
Instead, she sends Link a very conflicted glance, before turning that same heavy gaze on them one by one. Revali swears the look lingers on him longer than anyone else, but again, he clamps down his beak and waits.
He waits, and waits, and waits, as Zelda opens and closes her mouth several times, before pitifully following her Knight’s example and averting her gaze to the grass and rocks underneath her feet.
Usually, this would make Revali both disappointed and pitying, and he would then hide that empathy behind a wall of righteous indignation. He would be the one to push social norms aside and demand answers straight to her face, right now.
But… he catches Link stealing a glance at him.
And that, coupled with the Princess doing much of the same, makes his heart go out of rhythm, and all of his courage to fly away faster and farther than he ever could.
So, the tense, heavy, awkward silence reigns, until Mipha steps forward (even if she did so rather timidly), “It has been a long day. The sun is almost gone, and we’re all exhausted as it is. So let us instead set up camp, and get all caught up during a meal, shall we?
The other two champions quickly break into their own, frantic ways of showing agreement to that, before quickly settling off to do just that. Revali is roughly dragged away by Daruk help with some task he didn’t even pay attention to, heavily aware with each tape he takes of the two pairs of eyes observing him even as gets farther and farther away.
The weight now settled into his chest isn’t eased by neither the distance nor Daruk’s awful, almost cruel jokes.
Not at all.
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By the time they’re all gathered around the fire, it’s dark, the stars are out, and Revali is fighting off the urge to complain yet again.
Not because they haven’t gotten answers yet, as that isn’t all that surprising, but because this stew is bland.
Bland.
Their food is never bland, regardless of what matters of remote wilderness they find themselves in; it has been the one good thing about this journey. And yet, no matter how many pinches of precious salt from his hidden stash he adds, it doesn’t make it taste any better. He almost misses Daruk’s terrible rock abominations that the Gorn insists is fine cuisine, because biting into a rock would at least make him feel something.
But no.
Bland stew.
A pathetic way to mark off a pathetic day.
His hold on the bowls turns shaky. He wishes he could say it was only because of anger. But as he is unable to mouth off Link for the poor cooking he’s inflicted upon and for not helping out with foraging the ingredients (which likely lead to this mess in the first place!), as he usually would, he can do little else to hold himself together. All will to use Link as his usual venting target is lost the second the two’s gazes cross (both of them averting it right away, of course) and the other knight is just…
Well, he looks as bland as the stew he just made. And as it turns out, little disarms Revali’s usual lines of defence than a truly defenseless, vulnerable Link.
Bah.
Time passes. No one cracks a joke or makes comments about the food, the starry sky, or even what route they’re going to take tomorrow.
It’s the most suffocating atmosphere ever.
Eventually, Zelda finally manages to grace them with her voice. “I… I got an answer to my prayers here.”
That got all of their attention, but it didn’t ease the mood at all. For obvious reasons —if it were good news, the two Hylians wouldn’t be acting like this… but if the Gods had forsaken them…— and yet, it still took a long while for someone to be able to ask for further clarification. “What will we be telling the King, dearie?” goes Urbosa.
Her soft tone towards Zelda in particular was always a sharp contrast with her obvious distaste towards the Hylian Ruler, but for once, Revali spares little thought as to why that might be behind that.
Instead, he’s too focused staring Zelda down like a field mouse. To her credit, it doesn’t seem to bother her any further than she already is. “… it wasn’t the Goddess, or even any God, that answered,” she admits heavily, and before anyone else can react, adds, “It was a spirit.”
That gets them all to exchange glances with various emotions behind them. If it was a fairy or a deamon, it would be easier to track it down for further answers… but a spirit can complicate things. Depending on who it was, they might be as elusive as the Gods.
Still… at least something finally answered. That had to be a sign of progress if nothing else, right?
Mipha is the one to ask the most pressing question, “Do you know who it was?”
To which Link visibly flinches. Hmm…“She didn’t really identify herself, but…” the Princess’s eyes land on Link heavily… and Revali is ashamed to admit he’s completely and utterly lost.
Thankfully It seems he’s alone there, for Daruk, of all people, shouts, “The Master Sword?!”
As Revali’s go wide as saucers, it’s Zelda’s turn to flinch.” She didn’t confirm, but I truly do think so… either way she came to us to inform us of the current status of the Gods. Why my prayers haven’t been answered.”
“And that’s because…” Revali baits, unable to stand a single second of more stalling.
Zelda flinches again, but this time, Revali gets the impression that it’s because it was him who addressed her… despite the fact that the two of them had always gotten along just fine.
And ain’t that just so bloody pleasant and absolutely not foreboding at all??
“To make it as simple as I can… they’re tired,” the Princess begins what Revali senses is going to be a long explanation, so he puts off his annoyance and fear to the side and sits back on his rock. “To quote her, ‘it’s been countless lifetimes, and no matter how much the world changes, the fate of you three is always the same’. Followed by the implication that, as a result, they no longer care about our struggle. If Ganon beats us and rules for at least a generation or two, at least it would be something different for once.”
Immediately, the mood sours. “That is outrageous! Do they not think we tire of the threat of Ganon as well? How is letting him win instead of helping us permanently eliminate him any sort of solution?” Urbosa exclaims, and for once, Revali is grateful for her, for she stole the words right out of him.
“Because they cannot; this is why the Princess and the Hero have been forced to exist and stop him in their steed. Forever.” Mipha explains calmly, if solemnly. “I suppose the value of life can look dim in comparison to endless suffering…” she muses.
“And what else is life under Ganon?” Revali argues back. And rightly so, given the flinches he gets in response. “Some Gods, powerless to change anything, but self important enough to think they matter…” he mumbles under his breath.
Zelda and Mipha lower their heads in a silent reply. The fact that Urbosa does not scold him as a result is all that needs to be said.
Eventually, Daruk, strangely calm, asks, “But not all is lost, or else, you’d be crying. There is something we can do still… but you don’t like it either.”
At that, Zelda grimaces. “The spirit made it clear that the Gods haven’t abandoned us. Our Goddess especially, still cares. They are just tired. If we can prove that one of us can change our Fate after this long, even just a little, then that should be enough proof for them to answer my prayers and save us. Or at least, this generation…”
“Well, and that will be for someone else to think about. Someone who won’t exist if we don’t act now.” Revaly finishes for her, in a far less kinder tone than Zelda would have chosen.
No one argues against him, making it clear just how dire the situation is. Nodding his understanding nonetheless, Revali then narrows his eyes, “And I’m assuming that, since this was the spirit of the Master Sword we’re talking about, she wanted Link’s fate to be changed specifically,” he states. And he cares not if his tone was too accusatory or not; not when the way Link retreats into his own shoulders as if he was a darn turtle pretty much proves him right.
Zelda’s eyes do not seem to currently approve of him though. “My ancestors had a lot of different ends, so guessing what would please the Gods is a fool’s errand. Link though?” She pauses to spare a concerned glance at said Knight, which takes Revali aback —he thought if there was one thing he and the Hylian Princess had in common, it was their shared distaste for her overhyped bodyguard— enough to allow her to continue despite her long moment of hesitation. “Link had never had anything beyond his greater purpose; once it’s all over, all recorded traces of him stop. And unlike me, there is no direct line of Ancestors tying him to this destiny, he just… shows up when required.”
Revali has to admit that the way Link does not react further to her solemn words is to be admired, as things were already dire enough before Zelda finishes off with, “He is born to fight Ganon. He’s allowed a life up until that point… and nothing beyond that. If that, even.”
… that makes a knot form in Revali’s throat. Much as he’s dedicated his life to a singular duty —one that has led him here in the first place— to think that there would never be anything beyond it, and for it to be the only thing to remember him by… and going through that over and over again…
Yes. Despite his reputation, Revali wasn’t heartless. Even he can set aside his feelings for Link long enough to spare him some sympathy.
“Still, just because it wasn’t recorded, doesn’t mean that the little guy just… poofs out of existence after sealing Ganon.” Daruk points out, breaking Revali out of his trance and surprising him with the fact that the Goron truly did have an excellent point there, even before he finishes off with the obvious, “So how can we know what would be considered a ‘different’ fate for him?”
“Would making sure his life after Ganon is recorded be enough?” Mipha offers hopefully, clearly having beaten Urbosa to it.
Revali, for his part, does not for a moment believe it could be that simple.
As proven by the fact that the Princess’ face does not ease up one bit. “We will certainly be doing that, if only beccause… I think it’s only fair…” she whispers that last part mostly to herself, stealing a glance towards Link as she does so, before shaking her head in an exaggerated manner and directing her voice towards them, “But the Spirit had a very clear suggestion of what would work. And given who we think she is… who else would know better than her?”
‘Given who we think she is’ doesn’t seem like a lot of reassurance to Revali… nevertheless, he cannot hold himself back any longer. “Quit with the stalling, Princess, please. Just say what we have to help Link with in order to not be slaughtered here?”
And he immediately regrets it; the way Zelda snaps her head and widens her eyes at him makes his feathers shiver. It reminds of an owl observing its prey.
“Marriage, to put it simply.” Zelda lets out in a deadpan, almost numb tone. “The Spirit’s voice was very wistful when she revealed that the Hero of Hyrule, regardless of all his admirers, always ends up alone.” A pause to regain her breath. “There might be other ways, but that was the only one she hinted it would work. I get the impression she had a… biased stake on the matter,” she reveals.
Wait…
Does she mean…
Oh, by the Gods, won’t that make seeing that sword every day so darn awkward now…
(For a moment, he spares a thought as to how Link must feel, given that he has that very same sword by his side right now, and how his life was shaped by it… but he quickly catches and corrects himself.)
But no matter, at least it isn’t that bad a task, though he can understand both their dispositions now. Even for someone like Zelda, who should have expected something like this anyway, it’s never an easy pill to swallow.
Daruk beats him to it yet again, though.” Well, you and the boy are an obvious match, congratulations!”
Revali’s stomach twisted so much at that, that he finally put his bowl down and grimaced, sincerely afraid the little bit of stew he had managed to down before this conversation actually began would be making their way out pretty soon…
Bloody bland cooking… Link so did it on purpose, how can Revali possibly be blamed for staring the other down until he had no choice but to turn his head as far away from Revali as possible?
His self-control can only get him so far! Don’t judge him, you judgemental excuse for a party that won’t be needed soon anyways!
At the very least, Revali’s little show shut Daruk up long enough for Zelda to seemingly find a way to tactfully respond to the Goron’s awkward cheer over the prospect. “No. To start with, we don’t know if doing something my predecessors have always done —and by that I mean, marriage in general, because of our duties— would bore the Gods enough to overshadow the change for Link. Secondly, apparently, the Spirit would much rather prefer Link be involved with someone who has no connection to a previous incarnation of him,” she explaining, pausing to regain herself before finishing off with, “Sure, that last part might be biased on the Spirit’s part, but given that we are running out of time… we can’t afford to take chances here.”
“Not to mention that, as much as the King likes to have us follow the echoes of the past, it’s a different story when it comes to the Kingdom he controls; and Zelda’s marriage isn’t something he’s going to be willing to give up his final say in.” Urbosa adds, and Revali notes the very deep bitterness tainting every word of that once more.
But it is yet another occasion where that cannot matter. No time for it, for one, and for second, they don’t need any further justifications to convince them to not take risks. One was plenty enough as it was.
Revali’s mood continues to sour as the second obvious conclusion comes to his mind. However, he finds it difficu—“I am not an option then, given that the doomed romance between one of our Princesses and the Hero of Time is one of our biggest legends to this day.”—Mipha puts and end to that theory before it’s even allowed to fester
Well, thanks for that?
Revali’s stomach is now outright jumping around, but there’s something different to it this time. Revali tells himself it’s because Mipha’s obviously disappointed voice genuinely touched his heart —again, he is not, as the rest of them might think, a heartless scoundrel at all— but even he cannot lie to himself that much.
In reality… he knows all too well that welcome feeling…
As shame overwhelms him, he suddenly understands Link’s urge to avoid everyone’s gazes, but instead of focusing his attention on the ground, he takes to the one thing that always brought him meaning and comfort: the sky.
The stars are in full view now—just how long had this convo dragged on for?— and Revali thinks, not kindly in the least, that if the Gods are hiding amongst and actually enjoying their desperation… he’s going to freak.
Because that’s what this all feels like; that they’re being made fun of.
Yet, there is nothing else to do but submit to their capricious whims. It’s been over six months of this fruitless quest, there is no hope of anything answering Zelda’s prayers unless the Gods are pleased, no matter what that foolish King comes up with or how hard the Princess tries.
And Revali might want to believe that he and the others could thwart the Calamity with nothing but a Legendary Sword and their Divine Beasts, but the truth is, Revali has always held an awful feeling ever since the Princess asked for his help… always has, honestly, so he’d rather avoid any potential confrontation if it can be helped.
Besides, the cost of war, no matter how brief, was never acceptable. And if the Gods truly didn’t care if Ganon won or not any more…
There’s no other choice. It’s bitter, to be a puppet on strings like this —it will forever make him look at the stars bitterly, he’s sure— but even he knows that there are some things one cannot change. Like who a Sword of Legend chooses, for one.
And besides, though he has no doubt that he and the other Champions will have to put some work into this, in the end, it is Link who will pay the bigger price —not even any Royal Lines will be affected, so the people won’t care as a whole either— and that…
You know. That is something.
It’s not happening to him, so…
With that accepted, Revali addresses the Princess with a softer tone. “Don’t make this any harder, Zelda. You clearly have an idea on who would be best suited for this task. So… out with it.”
Zelda meets his gaze, and for a moment, Revali swears he saw a flash of resentment in her eyes. But ever the Royal born and raised, no matter het attitude towards her Knight and Father most days, she quickly masks it and speaks in a poised tone. “I have come to the conclusion that it should be one of us; this is simply too important a task to trust it to someone who won’t fully grasp how important it is.” she states while staring them down one by one. “There is also the fact that a warrior, a good one, would be the best match for Link; we cannot risk Ganon’s followers just murdering Link’s spouse and somehow restarting the Calamity once the Goddess’ Blessing lifts.”
The fact that Zelda specifies the Goddess this time catches his ears, but he’s far too busy sweating and looking at the sky to point it out. Instead, Urbosa observes, “That sounds like a lifelong job, given the Yiga clan.”
To which Zelda nods solemnly, “Yet another reason to keep this between us.”
Revali is still dazed when Urbosa’s chuckle breaks through the dreary atmosphere. “Well, this is where I’m out. While I wouldn’t mind partnering with Link, it would compromise my position, and since Link cannot live with me without a constant disguise…”
At that, Revali’s head snaps, as if he had been dunked into a frozen lake. “Correct. Plus, we fear the fact that your Gerudo lineage would… anger the Gods more than anything else.”
“They can be unreasonable like that.” Mipha agrees with a nod.
No longer able to contain himself, Revali outright squawks, “Wait a minute, this only leaves Daruk and me, and while I know things are different in Gerudo Town, I doubt the Gods would be as understanding! In fact, I bet my tail feathers that all this is about is making sure that the precious Hero finally has a line of direct descendents!”
Immediately, they all look at him, either cringing, shaking their heads, or both. Except for Link, who begins to fidget with his hands as if he’s going to start digging a hole to bury his head in at any moment. This is the exact reason Revali has been so good at holding his beak today, because he hates when they all do this…
But he shouldn’t have reason to hold back this time! He’s right, and the fact that they want to ignore it in some feeble attempt to cling to hope that the God(dess) will save them is—“Hoho, not only are you young, but you’re innocent too!” Daruk laughs merrily.
Far too merrily.
Feeling his cheeks alight with rage, Revali turns to the moronic Gorgon, ready to—“You don’t have a lot of outsiders visit Rito Village, do you?” Mipha asks not unkindly, but Revali takes it as so anyway.
So he angrily replies, “You see many species that can spend an extended time at our village when they lack wings?” he points out.
Ignoring his sarcasm, Urbosa replies with a grin and a flash of something else in her eyes. “Hylians are special, my boy. Although the fertility rates are much lower, and the dangers can be much higher depending on the match, they can breed with any species and gender.” A heavy pause, though this time, Revali barely even notices it. “It’s why their royalty is so good for forging alliances with others. Although you Rito are quite unique, do you truly think they won’t make an exception, especially when it benefits their beloved Champion as well?”
Catching the implications and slight teasing, Revali is about to argue that he can find his own mate, thank you very much, when he’s interrupted by a shrill laugh, “Well, I’m married, so I’m also out of the running. Congratulations!”
And that makes Revali freeze on the spot. Surely, they can’t mean…
But, as his eyes go from one person to the next, it’s pretty clear; he’s the one expected to marry the Knight. If only because he’s the only one left available.
B-but… he… they…”You have to be joking! Did you forget that we—” realising it’s futile, he turns towards the source of his ire instead, “Link, tell them that this is insane! There’s no way we could ever—”
As he rambles, he accidentally locks eyes with said Hylian —mostly because he wasn’t expecting to raise his head now, of all times— and what he finds there immediately makes him lose his breath.
So this is why Link has been avoiding him this entire time; it’s because he knew, from the moment he left whatever Holy Site he and Zelda parked their asses in to be told this in the first place.
There is no getting out of this.
It’s either the two of them locked together in matrimony or the Calamity.
And by the Gods, beyond anything else, Revali wishes he could that the reason that all the rage was immediately sucked out of him was due to sheer misery of it all.
He really does. Maybe then, he could actually muster up enough fire to fight off this insanity.
Instead, as everything around goes eerily quiet, as his fellow party members judge him like they always do, but for entirely different reasons than usual, Revali can only look up numbly at the stars, and bitterly mumble out…“This is asinine.”
He swore that one of them twinkled brighter in response, but as it was the theme of the day, he kept it to himself.