One day, as the Farmer from Regulus Farm took his daily stroll around Castanet, he decided to take his little daughter along with him for a walk. Along the way, he stopped by the house of the local foppish fashionista and his seamstress wife. It was here that he introduced his daughter to their's, and a strong bond formed between them. On the outside, the pair seemed quite different: one was quiet and soft spoken, while the other was more outspoken and opinionated. Yet the two had an air of politeness and shared a love of fishing among other things. Unexpectedly, a few turbulent times had nearly come between them, yet their friendship prevailed. The seamstress' daughter had always assumed they would share many memories in adulthood as they had their childhood, but when word spread that her friend would journey away from Castanet, she was at a sudden loss. She had to piece together what final words she would say to her, and "goodbye" would be one of the hardest…

4th Farewell: Forever a Friend

Morning came once more to Castanet. The sun was shining especially bright on this special summer day. It was still early for the residents of Regulus Farm, as they were still sleeping comfortably in their beds.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door, but there was only one who rose to answer it. A fully-prepared Saria made a quick change of clothes and gathered her things for the journey that was to come. She actually surprised to be the only one up, not realizing the early hour which she was stirred. Deciding not disturb anyone's sleep, she shrugged to her self and chose to answer the door on her own.

"Yes?" she called outside.

Right at the front door was young lady somewhat older than her. She had short, yet fluffy violet hair that went down her neck, and gentle violet eyes that matched. She wore a magenta blazer and a sleeveless white dress with matching flip-flops, and a red rose choker around her neck. Saria immediately recognized this appearance.

"Angie?" she asked.

"Good Morning, Saria" her friend greeted with a warm smile, "Is the rest of your family up?"

Saria shook her head nervously.

"Actually, no. And it's pretty strange. I know I usually have to get Papa up when this happens, but everyone else is usually already up by now." She admitted.

"That doesn't surprise me. This is pretty early in the morning. Much earlier than usual, really." Anige explained.

"What?" Saria blinked, "But the sun is already up! It's a family thing to rise when the sun is up and Clucky starts doing his rooster call!"

"Well, it IS summer, after all." Angie clarified, "And… this is good. I actually wanted some time alone, just the two of us, before you take off."

The green-haired gal pal was a little confused at first, but she felt privileged that she had one final chance at some one-on-one time with her best friend.

"Okay then!" she answered with a smile, "I already have my things packed, so I won't be too long."

"Good", Angie smiled back, "Let's head to the Goddess Spring, then. I want us to make it there before everyone else comes for the last hurrah."

"Neat! It'll be just like old times!" Saria cheered.

"Yeah, that's what I was hoping for…" Angie answered in a subtly somber tone.

After finally gathering her things, Saria joined Angie outside, then slowly closed the door, so as not to disturb her family's sleep. With Regulus Farm finally behind them, the pair made their stroll to the Goddess Spring uphill.

"You know, I have a feeling with that Rainbow Bridge around, Cousin Vivian will make it her next priority after becoming Mayor to represent herself as some sort of goodwill ambassador to represent Castanet to wherever you're heading." Angie grinned.

"Are you sure? Isn't that already kind of my job since I'll be the first one heading over there? It's like I'm going to be Castanet's First Girl on the Moon or something!" Saria declared.

"Actually, you'd be more of an explorer, like maybe Columbus or Magellan. You'll be of exploring new land that's always been there and making a few unwelcome "discoveries" or something," Angie joked with a shrug, which got Saria in a giggle fit.

"No, no! I mean, she always seemed so dedicated to the thought of being mayor of Harmonica Town one day. Wouldn't that sort of thing keep her in Castanet for her duties?" Saria asked.

"Yeah, that does sound like Cousin Vivian. But she's also very ambitious. I don't think something like being Mayor would keep her grounded here like it did Uncle Gil. Knowing her, she's going to want the names of Castanet and Harmonica Town to be known all across the region of she can help it! Now that sounds just like her!" Angie exclaimed.

"You sound like your cousin's trying to be President…or Prime Minister even!" Saria exclaimed back.

"You think she'd just settle for what a Mayor can do for now? She probably sees a lot more power in the position than we realize." Angie duly noted.

"And my brother's actually dating her! I think he'll make a very good first man for her. She always loosens up and looks all lovey-dovey when it comes to him. He must really make her happy." Saria observed.

"I can't see why not. Marich, your brother, h-he can be really cool sometimes. I mean, he's really nice and smart and all that, but he can be really fun and sweet, too" Angie said with slightly pink cheeks

Said young man's little sister shot her a funny look.

"Angie? You're talking about Brother. And you look a little rosy. And you already have a boyfriend? Matt?" Saria flatly pointed out.

The immediate incite elicited a reluctant reaction from Angie.

"I guess Marich just has that kind of charisma. In fact, I remember around the time we met that you'd talk about him a lot. You must have really liked talking about him." Angie parried.

Saria gulped as her face became rosier than her friend's. The poor girl was left struggling to form any coherent words in defense.

"It's okay, really!" Angie assured her, "It's actually really nice. To this day, you two have never really fought, have you? I'd probably be that way too if I had a kind big brother like that. I'm almost jealous…"

"Yeah, it really is nice to have a big brother like him. There are times where he can be a bit of tease, but he's usually so kind and caring. I really like him a lot." Saria admitted with a gentle smile.

"But I guess now Cousin Vivian's going to have him all to herself!" Angie interjected.

"No kidding!" Saria laughed.

The two girls shared their moment of laughter as they found themselves atop the bridge leading into Garmon Mines. Once they realized their surroundings, they could not help but enjoy the view of the waterfall and rapid stream at the mountainside.

"Wow… this is still so beautiful! I can't believe Mama and Brother still get to enjoy this sight every time they pass by here for work. I actually miss coming by here whenever we went to play by the spring." Saria recalled fondly.

"Remember that time we came here for our personal fishing contest to try and impress Matt?" Angie chuckled, "It actually sounds really silly in hindsight, but back then it was the one thing we were all really good at, and it was the only thing we knew about him that we thought could get his attention. He didn't like the idea of us trying to catch fish in such fast-moving water, though. I guess that made him sort of mutual big brother to us without us realizing it, huh?"

"Really. Those fish were pretty heavy on our tiny bodies. We probably would have been swept up in the current if Matt didn't come in and stop us!" Saria added.

Both of them sighed as an oddly bittersweet nostalgia swept over them. Something in their memories felt just as turbulent as the speeding waters they stared at, yet their conclusion felt strangely refreshing. They were still friends, after all. And those troubled times had failed to tear them apart.

"I think we were lucky. That we both fell for Matt, of all people." Saria uttered softly.

Angie turned her head curiously, looking somewhat confused.

"Huh? What do you mean?" she asked reluctantly.

"I know it's still a matter of fact that we both liked him, but I think it was a good thing it was him," Saria stated, "He actually cared about us both, what we all had together; everything.

"That's what we liked about him to begin with. We just didn't notice how far his caring side would go at first." Angie replied.

Saria nodded in silent agreement.

Instinctively, her right hand felt the flute Matt had given her as a goodbye present. As disappointed as she was with her first love left unrequited, she was still glad that she could still be as close to him as she was. Even greater was that their current standing didn't cost her a great friend. Somehow, it all worked out for in the end just fine.

"I'm actually a little jealous," Angie confessed as she noticed Saria's grasp on the flute, "I'm dating Matt and everything, but then he gives you a flute and a song for a going away present."

"It's not like he wrote it for me. It's probably been around for a long time by now." Saria said with a grin, "Besides, maybe if you give him some time to get another flute, he'll more than likely write a special song just for you. I doubt he'd keep the one he's in love with hanging for long."

Secretly, she happened to recall an interesting conversation she once had with Matt that involved composing an instrumental ballad for Angie, so she tried really hard to hide a huge Cheshire grin.

Angie's eyes widened with a hint of concern.

"Saria-"

"No, really! You can't start underestimating him now! He's probably saving the best stuff for a very special occasion!" she insisted.

Angie sighed, seemingly more ashamed in own impatience more than anything.

"I guess he hasn't done too bad in treating me like someone special. He has been giving me gifts based on my love for fashion, and he has been trying to spruce up his personal appearance to look more presentable… well, as presentable as a future sea captain can be." She laughed, "And it was really cute on that one birthday when he made those strawberry jam tarts with your dad and gave them to me as a present… even though we were really small back then. And then the few fishing dates we had on Toucan Island; they really weren't the most romantic dates despite the locale, but I got the feeling he was fully aware of the honeymoon atmosphere of that place. At least they were fun…"

"See? What do you have to be so jealous about? He's been treating you just fine since you two started going out! And even before that!" Saria huffed.

"S-Sorry," Angie apologized with a light laugh, "I must come off really silly."

"Not really. This just means Matt will have to try harder to relieve you of your doubts." Saria grinned.

Whatever notion Angie got from those words suddenly made her face turn red.

"Now I'm wondering… just how far… he might have to go to do that." Angie uttered shyly.

"Now too far, I would say." Saria voiced aloud, "He's a gentleman, for sure. He just happens to be one who goes at his own pace. I doubt he'd go and make things very uncomfortable for you all of a sudden."

"Y-yeah… that sounds more like Matt." Angie nodded anxiously.

Without a moment's notice, Saria quickly whipped out her fishing pole from seemingly out of nowhere. The sudden action caused Angie to blink in confusion.

"You know, I was glad I was able to thank him for the gift, but it didn't feel right I could get him anything in return," Saria started.

She then cast her pole's extremely long line over the bridge, waiting for a bite.

"Saria! What are you doing?" Angie cried out.

"Maybe it's too late to do something for him, but I could at least try and do the same for my best friend while I still can." Saria finished.

Angie grew anxious that their current fishing location might cause the bridge to sway uncontrollably from the resulting struggle. She quickly tried to pull her friend away from the bridge, but Saria already got a bite. The apprentice fisher remained firm and steady as her pray pulled to and fro until her instincts told her to pull it in. At the precise moment, Saria jerked the line and reeled in a pretty big trout.

Angie stared in amazement.

"Whoa… that was really good form. And from all the way up here? You've really got the hang of it." Angie complimented.

"Well, I did have a lot of practice. And plenty of teaching from a few of my friends." Saria grinned as she held the fish firmly in her grasp.

"So… what was it you're planning to do with that fish?" Angie asked curiously.

The apprentice fisher gently handed it over to her friend.

"Here, I want you to have my last catch here on Castanent." She cheerfully explained.

The fashionable friend looked down at the freshly caught fish placed in her hands.

As grateful as she was for the sudden gesture, she was unsure of the purpose behind thank.

"Thank you, Saria. But… why?" she asked.

"I just didn't want to leave here without doing one last thing for you. You've done so much for Angie, and I didn't want to feel ungrateful for it." Saria happily explained.

Angie clutched the fish closer to her body, and a soft smile formed on her face that belied her melancholic eyes.

"I still can't believe you're leaving…" she thought to herself.

Outwardly, her face switched to a more cheerful expression.

"That's very thoughtful of you. I'll cherish this fish when mealtime comes." She replied gratefully.

Finally, they moved on from the bridge, discussing more fond memories of their friendship together. They wandered into Garmon Mines and past the Carpenter's House where an up-and-coming carpenter usually spend his mornings practicing his axe swings, while his daughter would go about and play. Their mutual peace resumed as they head into the forest pathway leading up to the Goddess Spring. While Saria was consistently at ease with herself, Angie's emotions were faltering internally. It was when they reached the middle of that deep forest pathway that Angie finally broke down.

The poor young lady was on her knees, unable to contain her tears any longer. A confused Saria brought herself towards her as she tried to discern this sudden change of mood.

"Angie? Angie, what's wrong?"

"I-It's true then? You're really leaving?" Angie blurted aloud.

"Yes. I am." Saria simply answered.

In her heap of tears, Angie struggled to look into the eyes of her best friend. At the same time, Saria was trying to do just that without regret.

"Why?" Angie asked, "Did I something wrong? Is this about Matt? Saria, I-"

"This has nothing to do with him," Saria answered confidently, "I'm not upset anymore. Honestly. Seeing you two together all this time made me understand that you two can make each other perfectly happy. There's no way I'd want to ruin that for anybody."

Angie paused hesitantly in accepting that answer.

"Then… why are you going away so suddenly? This is too soon! I don't want you to go!" she cried.

The unforeseen consequences of Saria's decision finally hit home. She already understood the sacrifice she made by agreeing to go on this journey, yet her foresight failed her when it came to everyone else. Especially Angie, her dear friend, whom she thought would be the happiest for her out of everyone.

"Angie, I'm sorry…" Saria lamented.

"Saria?" Angie whimpered, "Isn't there anything I can do? If there's anything that I can make right to make you stay, then-"

"This has nothing to do with being wronged at all." Saria insisted, " More like, I feel like this is… my duty."

"It's your duty… to leave Castanet?" Angie gulped.

Saria sighed as she readied her explanation.

"Angie, I… I heard from the Harvest King himself that there's a faraway land out there that desperately needs help. He required someone pure of heart to go and saw Brother and I as the only valid choices, but Brother still has so much he needs to take care of here, so I volunteered myself. We don't know how long this faraway place has left to exist, but I didn't want to be too late. I thought, without as many things tying me down as everyone else, that maybe I was meant to do this, that it was my destiny to go through with it…"

"What about your friends? I thought we'd grow up together!" Angie argued.

The green-haired girl bowed her head humbly.

"Y-Yeah, I didn't consider everyone else's feelings when I chose this path, and I regret being so inconsiderate now. I'm sorry for being so rash, Angie…" She apologized.

"S…Saria, I-"

"Nothing's wrong, Angie. I made this choice on my own in the end. No one is forcing me. No one is making me leave. I want to do this because it's the right thing, and nothing more…" she assured her.

After a period of regret reluctance, Angie finally was able to face her friend once again as her eyes still watered.

"Saria… I'm sorry… I thought it was my entire fault…" she said as her voice still quivered.

Immediately, she was brought in closer to her best friend with a soothing hug. With Angie securely in her arms, Saria somehow felt that she finally wore her beloved mother's kind, understanding smile for the first time.

"Angie, you're the best friend I've ever had. I could never hate you. I learned that a long time ago." Saria told her in a very serene tone.

The sincerity in her eyes gripped Angie deeply, causing her to weep deeply into Saria's lap.

"Saria…" Angie wept weakly.

"No, it's okay. Go ahead and cry if it'll make you feel better. Besides, I'd rather you not have any regrets, either." Saria assured her.

It seemed like an eternity in the forest pathway as Angie let loose all her tears to Saria, yet time saw it fit to allow their time alone in peace. Subconsciously, the pair knew this was yet another moment that proved that their bond would never falter. Even Saria's eventual departure, they resolved to believe, would simply be yet another thing that would fail to ruin something so precious.

As soon as Angie's tears ran dry, she heard a soft voice call out to her.

"Come on, let's head to the Goddess Spring like old times."

"Right…"

Up Next:

The Final Farewell!