Skyloft. The familiar pathways, faces, and birds seemed so strange after spending nearly two weeks on the untamed surface. Nonetheless, it felt good to be home again. The only thing I hadn't missed was a certain annoying knight apprentice.

"Hey Zelda!" Groose called. "Where you been? I was looking for you."

"I don't care," I snapped. "Get out of my way."

Of course, the idiot wouldn't go away.

"Heard you went down to the surface. Should've brought me along; I'd have helped keep you safe from all the beasties down there."

"You couldn't keep yourself safe from a Remlit," I snapped, "much less protect me from real monsters. Get out of my way, or introduce your gut to my sword."

Groose finally caught a hint and scampered, his cronies behind him. I sighed and took off my hat, letting a gentle breeze run through my loose hair. Making my way to the knight academy, I climbed some boxes that had been carelessly left out and pulled myself onto the roof. I could see almost the entire town from here, and idly watched the loftwings circle among the clouds. My blue bird soared towards me and landed gracefully. I stroked her soft feathers, lost in thought.

"Zelda!" I looked down when I heard my name, and saw my father walking along the path below me. Taking a quick leap from the roof's edge, I floated down behind him with my sailcloth. We embraced for a moment before breaking apart.

"How have you been, my dear?" he asked me. "How has your search gone?"

"It's not going as I'd hoped," I admitted, drawing closer to him. "Every time I think I've got a trace of him, he's long gone. It doesn't help that the blasted sword spirit isn't helpful one bit!"

My father's brow furrowed in concern. All feelings of friendliness leaving me, I stepped away, but he called me back.

"You're certain you're all right?"

I looked him in the eye, my frustration raging, ready to snap. But when I saw the genuine worry in his gaze, my anger drained away, replaced by exhaustion. I threw my arms around my father, holding back a sob.

"I don't want this destiny," I whispered into his shoulder. "It's too hard. I just want Link back. He's...he's my best friend and I miss him so much..."

I couldn't repress my tears for much longer. I didn't want to cry, but I couldn't help it, at least not forever. I pulled away and ran to the edge of the city. I flung myself off the edge, whistling for my loftwing, who came in hardly a moment. As I pulled myself on her back, the salt water spilled from my eyes, blurring my sight. As my beautiful bird flew away, I cried into her plumage, unable to stop.

I had to go to Eldin. I knew I must, but I did not like it.

"Oh friend," I whispered to my loftwing, soaring on a warm updraft, "how lucky you are. You are free to do as you wish. Not so with us mortals: Destiny makes slaves of us all."

I stared at the red pillar of light, unsure of what I was feeling. Hate, desperation, sorrow, responsibility and many other emotions jumbled together, crashing into one another and snowballing into a ball of ice that rested in my stomach. My father stood behind me, silent and solemn.

"I'll be back after I'm done in Eldin," I promised. "Don't count on any special timing."

"Good luck, Zelda," he told me as I ran off the edge.

"You'd better not go anywhere this time," I hissed, as if Link could hear me from all the way up here. "Because I'm still coming for you!"