A/N: Note that this will be in Penelo's POV since Vaan is currently in a dream state.

Chapter Two: The Sky-Pirate-Prince

I watched in horror as one of the men dressed in black stabbed Vaan in his shoulder. I tried running towards him but Yuffie pulled me back and pleaded me to hide within the -bushes with her. As I watched from the bushes, strands of tears started streaming down my eyes. I couldn't believe that Vaan was about die right before me. I closed my eyes when I saw the man's blade drawing closer to his head. "Vaan..." I murmered to myself. I waited for the agonizing scream to escape his lips but instead I heard the sound of another sword being drawn from its seethe. I opened my eyes and saw a dashing, young man dressed in a white, long sleeved shirt with a gold-decorated vest, stopping the actions of the cloaked figure. The figure growled furiously but the young man hardly even flinched.

"Honestly, you Nazgul need to learn some manners." He said with a small smirk planted on his face.

It growled again. "Out of the way, hume!"

The young man drew another blade and stabbed the Nazgul in the back. It shrieked in agony and took off, taking its companion with it. "Creepy-bastards." He bent down and examined Vaan. He tore open his shirt and started searching through his small bag. "Ah, here it is." He took out a small, blue vial and poured the contents on Vaan's wound. The young man's eyes widened as Vaan started choking out blood. He turned to the fallen blade that the Nazgul stabbed him with.

"Stop it!" I cried, running towards Vaan's side. "You're hurting him!"

The young man cursed under his breath as he watched the Nazgul's blade vanish in his hands. "He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade." He turned to me. "I need you and your companion to stay here and watch him. I'm going to find some minksweed." He said.

Waiting for the young man's arrival seemed like forever for me and Yuffie. Every passing minute, Vaan was wildly gasping for air and his eyes burning white. It was torture for me to watch Vaan in such pain. I stroked his sweaty hair and whispered reassuring words in his ear. "Penelo, look! He's coming back and he brought help with him!" Yuffie shouted as she pointed to the young man and his female friend.

My eyes widened as they focused on the rabbit-like-ears that sprouted from the newcomer's head. "She's a Viera."

The Viera frowned as she glimpsed at the wound on Vaan's shoulder. "He's fading, Balthier. I must take him to the Promise Land." She gently placed Vaan on her hover and turned to the young man. She started talking to him in Vierian. "Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint in."

Balthier shook his head. "What kind of leading man leaves his girl to fight dangers on her own?"

"Do you doubt my powers, Balthier?"

"Fran, I know you're strong but can you take on nine Nazgul on your own?"

Fran ignored Balthier's question. She turned on the hover and its engine roared loudly, against the silent, desert surroundings. "I must make haste. His time will soon perish if I don't. If you wish to follow than I suggest you do not get in my way." Her crimson eyes sneering at Balthier.

Yuffie sighed in contentment as the cool breeze, blew against her face. I frowned at her behavior. Why was she so happy when Vaan was on the verge of passing to the next world? Balthier turned to look at us but my frown, caused him to continue steering the hover. All my thoughts were focused on Vaan...if anything were to happen to him, I don't know what I would do. "She-hobbit, do not think of negative thoughts. Your lover will be sparred. Fran will see to it." Balthier said, turning his head to face her.

I pouted at the dashing fellow. "He's not my lover! And my name's Penelo!"

"Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you, Penelo." He replied, half-amused. "But I can assure you, with Fran by that hobbit's side...he will not die."

A loud, ear-bleeding shriek filled the land. I turned around and gasped as those hideous Nazgul were galloping at our tail. "Balthier! The Nazgul are back! Go Faster!"

"Shit! They just really love to piss me off!" He took out a hand-gun and shot one of the Nazgul in the head.

A/N: I'm sorry for having this chapter so short. But I thought the next chapter should be told in Fran's POV. She will show us how the Viera can be quite similar to Elves when they enter their domains. Whooo:D Please review!