Words For Him

Pride of the Rito

Taking the longer path Zelda wanted to stop at Sanidin Park Ruins where they would camp for the night. "This was our last peaceful moment together before the calamity, the night before my birthday. Having my friends and family as well as my people slaughtered is quite the present wouldn't you say, Link?" "Maybe your next one will be better." "With you by my side, it will be." Waking up early Link and Zelda had fallen into a routine, though they weren't aware of it. While Zelda checked on the horses and rolled up their bedrolls Link prepared a small breakfast. It took another full day of horseback riding before they reached Rito Village. While Link checked their horses into the stable Zelda wandered ahead bumping into a tall Rito with blue feathers and a large accordion. "Ah a thousand pardons miss, I should have looked where I was standing" "No no, it was my fault for not looking where I was going. May I ask your name?" "I am Kass, and what might your name be?" "Zelda, I have been traveling with-" "Zelda, as in Princess Zelda. I heard so much about you from my mentor. It is so good to see you." Having boarded the horses Link caught up to Zelda mid-conversation. "So you two have met, I was going to do the introduction myself but that no longer seems necessary." After Kass calmed down he told Zelda how he knew of her already. He spoke of his master, the royal court musician. "I remember him, he was one of the sheikah and a very talented musician!" Zelda exclaimed with excitement. Kass was overjoyed that Zelda remembered his mentor raising his already lofty opinion of her. "As grateful as I am you took the time to speak with me I assume you are here to speak with the elder." "And to investigate Vah Medoh" Link interjected. Kass said he would go with them to help convince the elder of Zelda and Link's true nature. As it turned out since Link's visit to tame Vah Medoh and the later blast in Hyrule field, Kaneli, the Rito elder, had already deciphered Link's true identity in his slow and methodical way. Having already accepted Link as the Hylian Champion from a hundred years ago, believing Zelda to be the very same princess whom Revali served under wasn't hard to accept. "You must be here because Vah Medoh, the Divine Beast has gone silent, unmoving," Zelda explained her findings at the other Divine Beast and that she and Link were here to investigate the behemoth. Unsurprisingly the Rito too welcomed the idea of tearing down Vah Medoh.

"I don't know how I can get you up there, it's definitely a harder climb." Link said looking up, his hands shielding his eyes from the sun. "Well if you need help getting somewhere high, perhaps I can fly you there," said a familiar voice. Turning Link saw Teba and his son who had just returned from the flight range. "I overheard your talk with the elder and think I understand what you are doing. Meet me at Revali's Landing in a few minutes and I will fly you up." Zelda thanked Teba and later while Link climbed Zelda flew up on Teba's back. "So you are the princess that Revali served, what was he really like?" "He was a talented archer and a brave warrior but he was egotistical" "Well with how powerful Master Ravali was, he and Link must have gotten along well." "Oh you couldn't be more wrong, Ravali didn't like Link and was jealous of Link's role as the one directly combatting the Calamity. Link had risen to the heights of the royal guard, becoming my appointed knight as well as champion. Link had closed himself in to cope with his responsibility so Revali took his silence for arrogance. In truth Link thought highly of all the champions, even Revali." Teba seemed disappointed that the hero of the Rito was too proud to see past his arrogance. Zelda reassured Teba, saying that the only thing about Revali that should be remembered was his skill and talent.

After Teba dropped Zelda off, she and Link got to work investigating Vah Medoh. Zelda discovered minor wind damage similar to the neck of Vah Naboris, something she found curious. "Are the winds that come off Hebrah Mountain as harsh as the desert? The damage seems to be largely located on the front edge of the wings." While Zelda worked outside Link examined the interior. After a few hours of wondering Link had the results and he called down to Zelda. "All finished up here, how is it on your end?" Zelda had almost finished her examination when a gust of wind blew by almost knocking her over. Fortunately, Zelda kept herself from falling over but she dropped her journal. Without a second thought, Link dove down toward it catching the journal before it hit the damp ground. Landing Link noticed the book was open to the last page. Taking a peak Link saw a jumble of research notes that he didn't understand but there was one part he could. "It has been a hundred years since I last saw Link. When we parted I did not know if he would remember me or any of the moments we shared. It brought me great joy to know he remembers me. His blue eyes, his disheveled hair, and he's still just as kind, if not more so but Link has changed. Link smiles more and is more carefree, still he remains by my side something I'm grateful for. To see Link again with clear eyes has brought me great comfort. Even after all these years my heart still yearns for him, I hope I will have the courage to share my thoughts." Link already knew how Zelda felt about him courtesy of Kass and his songs, but seeing these words in her writing brought him comfort and confidence. Returning the journal to Zelda, Link pretended to have not seen anything, even after a hundred years he hadn't lost the ability to conceal his thoughts. After Zelda finished jotting down her final notes she returned to the Rito Elder relaying her findings. "Like the others, Vah Medoh has shut down due to the lack of a pilot, there were also traces of wind damage but it was to be expected. I will be returning to the Sheikah to determine our next course of action but most likely we will tear down all four Divine Beasts." Kaneli again said he was pleased with this plan and that he would leave it to Zelda and the Sheikah to handle. After resting the night Link and Zelda departed in the direction of Hateno.