Chapter Text
The weather during Hebra was never exactly all that welcoming, with the harsh wind and blinding snow that makes your cheeks and nose sting. However, Winter in Hebra was a whole other situation. Link rubbed away the snow that had begun to catch on his face and made a mental note to suggest living back at Hateno during Winter. Revali and himself had started courting each other not long after the resurrection of the Champions and had been mates for some time now. Link often would travel between his own home and Revali’s roost. Whilst staying with Revali he decided to busy himself by ridding Hebra mountains from any Bokoblins and Lizalfos he could see whilst Revali continued to train at the Flight Range. It was a personal task Link had set himself after the defeat of Calamity Ganon. Zelda had begun restoring Hyrule and of course Link and the Champions were helping out but she assured him that she didn’t need him to be her personal Knight anymore, granting him the freedom of exploration.
Link continued to walk amongst the thick snow, his freshly braided hair flying high behind him as he walked against the wind, his eyes squinted as he tried to spot any enemies that may be hiding amongst the tall trees, shrubs and snow. He spotted a rogue Bokoblin chasing around a wild animal on foot. Link unsheathed his Master Sword before swinging it at the Black Bokoblin, it let out a shrill before turning his attention to the Hyrule Hero and jumping with his club in the air. Link shielded the attack before countering the offender with yet another swing of his sword. The Bokoblin stumbled backwards attempting to find its footing, Link didn’t give the Bokoblin a chance, stabbing it in its chest to which it fell backwards and collided with the hard floor beneath it. The Bokoblin quickly disintegrated into bright purple smoke. Link returned his sword to his back before bending down and retrieving the loot the Bokoblin had been reduced to. He placed the contents into his Sheikah Slate and slotted the slate back to his hip.
Link let out a small sigh before he did a general scan of the area around him, he couldn’t spot any other Bokoblins but decided to continue on his search before returning to the Village. ‘Maybe I should find some acorns before returning? Revali would probably enjoy a nutcake.’ Link thought absentmindedly to himself as he continued to trudge through the snow, his eyes now scanning for Bokoblins, Lizalfos and Acorns.
Link smiled softly as his gaze wandered towards the Rito Village during his walk. It was one of the more comforting places he had visited both before and after the defeat of Ganon. He’d frequently been invited to meals with Teba and his wife, Saki, before defeating Ganon, and since the end of the Calamity and the return of the four Champions, Revali had also been invited to these frequent meals. Which never failed to make the night interesting. They all got along well of course and honestly, Link was surprised when Revali had accepted Teba’s request to be taught by the Rito Champion. Though it was obvious Revali had found it somewhat hard adjusting back into life in the Village. (Not that Revali had or would admit so). The village was very welcoming to the Rito Legend. Link believed they were lucky that all of Hyrule was very welcoming to all of the Champions. Link frowned slightly as his mind began to travel back to 100 years prior whilst he continued his walk through the Hebra. He remembered very little from 100 years ago. In some ways It felt almost irrelevant to him now, he knew what he knew and could make more memories amongst them all. Yet it felt he had wronged Zelda and the Champions for having little knowledge of them all. Despite this they all, especially Urbosa comforted him often enough that no one held it against him and were happy to be back with the Hylian Champion. He smiled softly as he continued walking, rolling a stone under his foot. He was thankful they were all understanding with him.
Link’s train of thought was brought abruptly to an end once he heard the recognisable shrill of a Bokoblin coming from ahead. He squinted ahead, trying to see past the heavy snow of Hebra. It wasn’t exactly easy, especially with how dark the skies seemed to be here. He managed to spot a small figure and what he could easily identify as a Bokoblin, screaming and flailing around ahead. He focused again on the small figure fighting the Bokoblin.
Another traveller? He thought to himself. It wasn’t exactly common for Hebra to get many travellers during this time of year, Revali always enthused about the Winter Season to Link, often prattling on about how thankful he was that ‘Rito Village was finally free from the irritating and obnoxious tourists that would clutter the Inn.’
Link let out a small laugh before heading towards the figures. Link's smile instantly dropped once he got close enough to identify the scene. A small light blue Rito fledgling wielding some snow-tipped branch and swinging lowly at a Blue Bokoblin letting out small huffs as it failed to cause the Bokoblin much damage. The Bokoblin snarled as it slowly approached the little Rito, like she was prey. The small Rito didn’t seem all that bothered by this, her face full of determination. Despite this, she shook in fear, branch held tightly in her grip. She steadied herself, seeming as though she was ready to swing yet again.
Link quickly unsheathed his sword from his back, rushing towards the enemy. He reared his sword up and swung at the Bokoblin, turning its attention from the young Rito to himself. The Bokoblin let out another shrill, aiming its weapon at Link in which he managed to dodge. Link reared his weapon once again, slashing wildly at the Bokoblin as it let out pained shrieks and eventually fell to the floor. Link speedily plunged the sword into its chest before it was reduced to purple smoke.
Link relaxed slightly now that the Rito was out of harm's way, turning to the young chick with slight panic. ‘What in Hylia’s name were they doing attacking that thing with a stick!’ Before he could question the Rito’s actions, the young Rito planted her wings on her hips with a huff.
“Oi! That was mine! I didn’t need your help.” She complained, her green eyes piercing up at the Hylian. Link looked down at the child with bewilderment. He’s dealt with quite a few children in his time, he stayed with Revali very often in Rito village, and he’d sit and listen to the young fledglings sing at Warblers Nest from time to time. He would also play with some of the young Zora, back at Zora’s Domain. He would say he’s pretty good with kids, and understood them. However, he hadn’t expected to be scolded for helping the sky blue chick out.
“Where are your parents?” He signed to the child, only to be met with a confused look from her. Oh right. He cleared his throat repeating the question vocally this time. “Parents?” His voice scratched out, hoarse from the lack of use.
The small bird seemed to close in on herself, her brash demeanour abandoning her as quick as it appeared. “Gone” She mumbled, avoiding eye contact with the blond Hylian stranger above her. Link’s lips pressed thin before he offered Rito a hand. “Let's go to Rito Village, they’ll help find them.” He crouched down to her height hoping to offer her reassurance. She nodded her head, squeezing her eyes shut in an attempt to stop any tears from flowing. She took Link’s hand as the two headed towards the Village.
XXX
Revali was simply tidying away his arrows in his roost when he peaked out the window and spotted his partner assisting a small, light blue, Fledgling that Revali didn’t recognise up the stairs.
“Oh Hylia, Don’t tell me Kass and Amali have had another one?” He muttered to himself with a joking smile before continuing his cleaning. It didn’t concern him either way, but what did concern him was the mess his roost was in. Whilst folding up and returning his mustard coloured throw to the small basket in the corner he continued to watch Link walk alongside the Rito. Now heading towards the Elder’s roost. ‘ How peculiar.’ He thought for a moment before losing interest and hanging up his and Link’s bows on the wall.
Link knocked the wooden columns outside of the Elder’s Roost waiting for a Coo beckoning him in. He led the fledgling in, urging her to take a seat on one of the cushions on the floor. Once she was sat down he stayed close to her side to offer her some comfort.
“Well Link-” Kaneli began with a hearty coo, his wings swinging out widely as he began to talk. “What do I owe the pleasure? And who's this little fledgling?” He asked, Link smiled lightly at the elongated way the Elder said ‘who’.
“I’m Lureli.” She said softly, playing with the hem of her brown hatched dress. It was unlike the others Link had seen the children at the Village wear. It looked as though it was made out of a sack, literally, not as an insult.
“I found her fighting a Bokoblin outside of the Village. She said her parents are gone, I brought her back here for safety.” Link signed. Lureli watched Link wave his hands around and Kaneli nodded along. She furrowed her eyebrows as she tried to understand the silent conversation the two men were having.
The Elder looked down at the fledgling with a soft gaze. “I will send out some of out best Warriors to find your parents okay?” He reassured, the young Rito shook her head looking away from the Owl-like Elder.
“You won't find them…” She started, scrunching up her beak as she tried to get ahold of herself. “...the Calamity” She explained, she turned away from them both, she brought her knees up to her chest, hiding her beak in her dress as sobs choked out, clearly trying to keep them under control. Link crouched down resting a hand on her back, rubbing circles in it in an attempt to soothe her. “It’ll be alright…” He hummed out quietly. They all sat in silence as they let the Rito fledgling cry as the events caught up to her. After a short time Link turned his attention to Kaneli. Removing his hand from Lureli’s back to sign to the Rito leader.
“Myself and Revali can take her in for the night?” He began to suggest. “We can take care of her until someone is able to adopt her?” He explained. Revali would be fine taking in the young Rito for the time being at least. Kaneli nodded, crouching down to face Lureli.
“How about you go home with Link, here, for tonight?” He offered softly. “You must be quite hungry and Link is quite the chef” He laughed, changing the tone of the conversation. Lureli nodded but stayed quiet as she sniffled loudly. Link stood up from the floor watching the little Rito do the same.
“Thank you, Sir.” She said softly as she waved goodbye to the large, feathery Owl. Link signed a ‘goodbye’ as well as he led the young Rito back towards their roost. Revali turned around at the sound of someone at the entrance of his roost he opened his beak intending to give Link a sarcastic remark on his late return home and how Revali was practically starving here. However, his beak was promptly closed after his gaze fell onto the small light blue Rito beside Link’s leg. Revali looked up to his mate with a confused look.
“Who's this?” He asked impatiently. ‘ And more importantly, why had Link brought them back home?’ The small Rito didn’t reply this time, finding Revali much more intimidating than the Village’s Elder Owl.
“This is Lureli, I found her quite a bit outside the village. She told me that her parents were killed during the Calamity. I discussed it with the Elder and I thought we should take her in for the night whilst the Elder tries to sort out what to do with her.” He explained, grateful that the young Rito couldn't understand him for the time being. Revali let out a hum as he nodded along with Link’s explanation, as though he was trying to piece parts together and come to an overall conclusion.
“Very well…” He hummed with a hint of agitation in his voice. ‘I’m not a fledgling sitter’ he thought with a slight scowl. Nevertheless, he crouched down to look at the young child and stuck out a wing to greet her. “I am Revali, It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lureli.” He forced a smile. The Rito shook the Champion’s hand with obvious confusion plastered on her face.
“How do you know my name?” She asked meekly. Revali let out a hearty coo before tapping a feathered finger on his head twice.
“I’m psychic” He said sarcastically, which was lost on the little girl as she looked up at him in amazement.
“Really? What am I thinking right now?” She questioned excitedly, her blue feathers bouncing as she jumped side to side awaiting his answer. Her fear long vanished. Revali laughed as he stood to his full height. “That you’re hungry of course~” He started looking over to his Hylian partner with a smug smile. “And that you’d love a meal made by Link here.” Lureli let out a whispered ‘woah’ as he was practically spot on. Revali smirked with pride before continuing on to say; “And whilst you do that, Link, I’ll go ask Amali for a spare hammock. She’s bound to have one.” He waved a wing as he left his roost. Revali wasn’t the best with children, at least he didn’t believe himself to be. He had helped teach Tulin some basic archery with Teba which went well enough, though his incessant queries often brought an unwanted headache along. He had also let Harth’s daughter braid his feathers as she told him about the snow bird over the mountains but those were just short interactions. One he could disappear from whenever he had lost his patience. Having a child staying in his roost would be a whole other thing, whilst it would only be temporary, she would undeniably be in the way to some capacity. Revali tapped his talon twice on the wooden floor by the doorway of Amali’s roost, signalling that someone was outside.
“Come in!” she cooed out too preoccupied to greet him by the doorway. The Rito Champion waltzed in, his wings resting behind his back in a relaxed stance.
“Good evening, Amali-” He started politely, watching her lay out several plates of Salmon Meuniere for her fledglings. “Sorry to bother you during your dinner. Do you happen to have a spare hammock for a fledgling?” He asked. Revali felt himself tense up (though he would deny such a thing) as the light green Rito turned around happily. Her yellow eyes glistened with excitement.
“Oh, Champion Revali! Are you and Link planning on adopting? How sweet-” She began, which was cut off by the Rito warrior raising a wing.
“No-no. We are just looking after one this evening.” He corrected, which led to a disappointed ‘What a shame’ coming from the other Rito. She beckoned the champion to follow her into a separated corner of the room as she rummaged through some wicker baskets. They all seemed to be full of various supplies for fledglings, she plucked out a spare hammock and a few toys that her own had outgrown and handed them to the navy Rito.
“Here! Have these, we have no use for them anymore. Sorry to say but I don’t have any spare dresses if you need those. My flock are constantly ruining their own.” She laughed lightly. “However if you speak to Huck at Brazen Beak he’d happily make one, he's got a lot of practice amongst all the dresses I’ve had him fix.” She smiled warmly at the younger Rito.
Revali looked down at the various knickknacks that had been thrust upon him. “Thank you, Amali! Sorry once again for interrupting your dinner we will have to have you all over sometime." He offered, of course not really meaning it. "Have a nice evening.” He waved a wing before taking his leave leaving the mother to return to her cooking.