They held each other's gaze. For once, Link wished Fora had kept quiet. Leaving was difficult enough without having to say goodbye. He took in the sight of her green hair beneath a small headband. She was wearing an emerald green cloak to keep off the early morning chill. Her sad eyes bore into his soul, begging him to stay. They both knew he couldn't.

"You'll come back won't you?" she asked.

"I promise," he told her, his voice breaking.

Saria stepped up to him and they embraced.

"You're a good friend, Link," she murmured sadly, speaking softly into his ear.  "You're a good person. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.?"

"I'll come back," Link croaked, barely able to speak through the pressure building in his throat. Even as he spoke, he felt Saria tense, and then she broke away from him.

"I always knew you would leave the forest someday," she murmured. "I didn't want to believe it... but..."

Her words trailed off into a sorrowful silence. "Did the Great Deku Tree tell you?" Link asked.

"He did."

"What about Mido? Does he know I can leave?"

"No, I'm the only one who knows. I'm sorry, Link. I really wanted to tell you."

"It's okay."

He didn't want to get angry at her. Not now. Not while they were standing before the lifeless trunk of the Great Deku Tree.

"Link, the hunter, you're finally back," Saria said.

"The hunter and his invisible catch," Link replied, smiling.

"You must be pretty good to catch something invisible," Saria teased.