Link looked down at his slowly mending arm, still supported in its sling, then across to the Mayor who was hunched over in his seat, his head resting in his hands.

The silence stretched on, and Link's gaze fell once more.

"I remember the days when my daughter called you 'sleepy-head'," the Mayor spoke suddenly.

Link glanced up to see the Mayor now looking back.

"I think she would be proud of who you've become," he finished quietly.

Link smiled ruefully, "I don't see how..."

"You've lost a lot more than I have, son," the Mayor began, "You lost the life you knew when you were thrust onto the path of destiny. You lost—" He hesitated, his voice cracking. "A dear friend. You lost your sword arm..." He paused again, dropping his eyes to Link's sling. "For a time at least. But you still found a way to fight back...to protect your home...to defend my daughter's—no. Hylia's legacy. And for those reasons, I think she would be proud."

Link didn't answer right away; he didn't quite know how.

In the end "Thank you, Mayor" was all he said.

But he meant it.

Sunlight hit his face as he exited the house, forcing him to shield his eyes from the overwhelming brightness. It was a radiant day in Skyloft, the glorious weather carrying a silent promise of better things to come.

Link found Impa gazing up at the Goddess statue, a quiet calm evident in her face. He chose not to disturb her, instead stationing himself at her side.

"Skyloft is at peace," Impa said, breaking the silence.

"Almost," Link answered, "Some things are going to take longer to heal. But we'll get there, I'm sure."

"It won't last."

"I know..."

"Ghirahim will return."

"Yeah." Link looked down at his broken arm, slowly curling his fingers into a fist. "But I'll be ready."

I promise. No matter how much I miss Fi...or Zelda. No matter whether I have the Master Sword or not. No matter how impossible it feels...or how incapable I feel.

He thought of the Mayor's words, how he believed Zelda would've proud of her dear friend.

I don't feel like I deserve that...not yet, anyway. But someday, I hope I will.

He glanced back up at the Goddess statue, where he had once stood with Zelda...before she'd pushed him off. Link almost laughed aloud at the memory. At the time, he hadn't found it funny at all. But now, he felt a strange sense of gratitude.

She was always there to push me in the right direction. Now I'm on my own. But I swear, even if I screw up a hundred more times, even if it takes as many lifetimes before I see her again, I will make her proud.

I'll make you proud, Zelda. So please...wait for me.