The Council reluctantly rose to their feet. One by one, they departed from the room, when Zelda summoned Ningan back discretely. She waited until the other councillors had disappeared before she addressed him directly.
"As I'm sure you're aware Ningan, the expedition I have just devised has a secondary purpose. With the expansion of the Hyrulean kingdom, there is the growth of the Sheikah tribe, which is if not equally important to myself, is more important for you personally."
"I understand, Zelda." he nodded weakly.
Zelda placed her hand sympathetically on his shoulder. "I know you don't want to leave Hyrule. But Sherifu has obviously assigned you this mission because he believes in your capabilities."
"Or he wants me as far from the Village as possible..."
"You know very well that is not the case." Zelda scalded him. "Your mother trusted and so shall I. After all, he is now the leader of your tribe. Like any other leader, I must co-operate with him."
"I'm going to miss this place." Ningan sighed, scanning the dull Castle interior. "Although it's not the same as it once was."
"Nothing will ever be the same as before." Zelda told him truthfully. "Our hearts may reside in the past, but our heads must look to the future. I wish you the best of luck on your journey and expect you to return safely and successfully. I also insist that you consistently contact me via letter."
"Letter?" Ningan exclaimed in disbelief. "But how do we know these new lands will have an operating postal service? How long will the letter take to reach Hyrule?"
"These obstacles will be addressed." Zelda continued. "As I lack a personal Gossip Stone, this is the only way for us to stay in touch."
Ningan could not refrain any longer as he embraced the Princess tightly. A tear shed from his eye as she gradually retracted.
"I trust the fellow councillors to take good care of you. They are kind, intelligent, skilled and brave. However, they are still naive about your secret mission, and I trust it to stay that way. Should they find out...I hope they will lend you their services. Yet, they may feel cheated, almost betrayed. This would place you and I in a grave place to say the least..."
"I promise I can keep a secret." Ningan assured her with a smile. He stepped back and took a marvellously exaggerated bow. "Farewell, Princess."
"Farewell, Ningan." she nodded contently. "I pray for good fortune on your travels, and for your safe return. Goodbye, best friend."
Ningan left through the Castle gates for the last time, ready to embark on a journey to foreign lands. Whether he felt cheated, abandoned, or alone, he vowed to not return unsuccessful. After all, the fate of the Sheikah tribe lay in his hands. They were the only family he ever had.