Okay, I apologise. I could have updated this weeks ago. But I neglected to. Well, the other chapter that is. So to make up for it, here, have two! This one is pretty good, if I do say so myself. :D Without further ado...

I groan and sit up, rubbing the back of my neck. "What the hell..." I utter hoarsely, looking around me blearily. I spot Vaati across the room, huddled in a corner. "Va... Vaati? Are you alright?"

Vaati shifts his weight slightly and looks at me through a curtain of his hair. Even in the dim lighting I can see the hatred and pain in his eyes. Wait, pain? I slowly stand and stagger over to him. Dropping to my knees beside the Mage, I clearly see blood covering his usual purple tunic and robe.

"What happened to you?" I ask him, reaching out my fingers to inspect him.

Vaati shrinks away from my touch and hisses at me. He actually *hisses* at me. "Vai, though I may have lied to you, know that I wouldn't hurt you. I still call you my friend, if you will have me."

Vaati's cracked lips open and he utters, "Just don't touch me."

I nod and respect that, though I can't help but feel a little stung. "I just want to help you, Vaati."

Vaati nods once and closes his eyes. He whispers again, "Just don't touch me..."

"What can I do to gain your forgiveness, Vaati?" I can barely resist the urge to brush Vaati's hair from his face; I don't like not being able to see his eyes when I talk to him.

A sadistic smile overcomes Vaati's lips as his eyes open again. "You can kill me, Link..."

I knit my brows and almost fall backward. "What? No!" I nearly yell.

Vaati flinches and utters, "Do you want to know *why* I won't let you touch me?"

I nod, dreading his response.

"Because every time I move, or touch something, my whole body burns with fire." Vaati attempts to blow his bangs from his eyes, but fails and closes his eyes tightly.

Ever so gently, I move them from his vision and look at him. He opens his eyes and peers back at me. "Vai, You're, a Mage... Can't you just, remove the hex?"

Vaati shakes his head slowly, eyes wide. "I've tried..." He swallows. "So you know?"

"Yes," I say, moving to sit cross legged facing him.

"And still you're trying to help me?" Vaati's eyes dart away from mine.

I smile at him. "Yes, because it's what friends do. And you're my friend, Vai..."

"There you go again, calling me something weird." Vaati says sharply, though I can see the ghost of a smile on his lips.

I shrug. "It's just something I've picked up from Gail..."

And so the smile slips. "I'm keeping you from her, aren't I?" Vaati frowns. "You shouldn't have searched for me. I'm sure she told you what I am."

"You aren't keeping me from her, Vai... We, let each other go." Somehow, saying it gives it a little bit more closure.

Vaati eyes me warily. "I don't believe you..."

"We've gone our separate ways, Vai." I shake my head. "But that's not important right now. You can't move, so I need to find a way out of here."

"Think you can manage that, hero?" Vaati asks, smirking through his pain.

"I think I can take care of both you and me." I say, standing and turning away from Vaati. I begin to walk to the other side of our prison, but as I do, a door opens and two people walk in.

"Link, good, you're awake. We wanted to let you rest in a bed, but the monster killed three of my guards so the rest of them were too cowardly to come in here. That is, until our Sheikah discovered a way to subdue it."

I recognise the voice; it's Princess Zelda. "Highness!" I exclaim, "What are we doing here?"

"Trying to capture the Wind Mage, but you happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am sorry about that, darling." Zelda refers to my pet name, which I've detested since we were children, but I've never been brave enough to tell her. She is the princess, after all. "So if you'll come with me, I can get you away from this thing."

"This... thing?" I realise they're talking about Vaati. "Whoah, wait a second. You–a Sheikah did this to him?"

I can see shadows move as Zelda smiles smugly. "Yes, aren't you pleased? We found a way to subdue magic. Just keep them from moving!"

I shake my head. "No, I'm not. Not at all. You would do this to a human being, Princess?"

Princess Zelda laughs, the tinkling of a bell. "A human being? Of course not! That thing on the ground isn't a human, darling, it's a monster!"

I take a step back; away from Zelda and towards Vaati. "No he's not. He has feelings, Princess, and you're hurting him! I won't allow this!"

Once again Zelda laughs softly. "You must be under the thing's influence, darling. I'm sure once you're out of its sight, it can't keep the sorcery up."

"Stop calling him an it! Vaati isn't enchanting me, Princess!" *In the normal way...* I think. I knit my brows and shake my head. Where did that come from?

Zelda frowns thoughtfully. "Yes he is. Come now, let's leave this cell and get out of the musty, blood filled air."

"It smells like blood in here because you're torturing him!" I gesture wildly to Vaati.

"I don't want to have to knock you out again, darling." Zelda says, he voice taking on a steely tone. I forgot how forceful she could be.

Behind me, I barely hear Vaati whisper, "If she calls you darling one more time..."

I smile faintly, but it drops as Zelda flicks her fingers. I hear Vaati jerk behind me and a pained whimper escape his lips. I turn and see him writhing on the ground, tears rolling down his checks. "V-Vaati!" I slide to my knees beside him. Afraid to touch him, I just hover my fingers over his skin and clothing. I turn my head to look at Zelda. "Stop this! Stop whatever you're doing to him! Zelda, stop!"

Zelda sighs and drops her fingers. "Don't call me informally, Link."

I ignore her and turn back to Vaati. He's limp on the floor, breathing heavily. "Oh Vai..." I whisper, grimacing.

"There. Now come with me, Link." Zelda says, and I know she's enchanting me now. I look into Vaati's eyes and say with them, *I'll be back for you.* Or at least I hope I do.

I stand and face Zelda. "Of course, Highness." I say sombrely, and leave with her.