Here I go again, writing instead of studying. And this is a long one, too.

Chapter Fourteen

Dark Link, well, Shadow Link, as he'd been calling himself lately, strolled leisurely down the halls of the Wind Palace. It was just a few hours past midnight, blissfully dark and quiet. His pet was unconscious again, and with the Links currently in hiding to recover from the thrashing he'd given them the day before, Shadow Link was bored.

The heels of his black boots clicked on the marble floor as he moved deeper into the recesses of the palace. He couldn't recall having been in this particular area before; there were no windows and few doors, the walls were bare and unadorned, and no Moblin guards stood anywhere in sight. Odd.

Rounding a corner, Shadow Link paused. Was that. . .crying? Shadow Link cackled and a look of glee crossed his face and his steps sped up as he hurried to find the source. Crying meant someone was in pain, and he always found pain entertaining. Had he wandered into a sort of secondary dungeon, perhaps?

Shadow Link paused outside of one of the identical doors, pressing his ear to the smooth wood. Sure enough, the quiet sobs came from within. Pushing lightly on the door, Shadow Link was almost surprised to to find it unlocked, but he didn't question his luck. He slipped inside and closed the door behind him, looking around eagerly for the source of the noise.

The room was dark and bare, empty except for a hard wooden chair in the center of the room. A small figure sat slumped in it, holding his head in one hand. His lavender hair fell to hide his features as his shoulders shook with the force of his sobs.

Shadow Link grinned gleefully. "Hey, why ya cryin'?" He called loudly, laughing when the boy jumped. He didn't get far; the dark, glowing manacles around his wrists held him fast to his seat.

"W-Who's there?" He stammered, looking up in fright. His face looked pale and drawn, misery etched on his face. He looked. . . delicious.

Shadow Link's chuckle rang out as he stepped closer, the figure's eyes growing wide. "Dark Link. . ." He breathed.

Shadow Link vanished, reappearing only inches from the jumpy boy's face, drawing a gasp from his pale purple lips. "So you've heard of me. I'm flattered." He cocked his head to the side, regarding the boy. "But I don't know you. What's your name?"

The boy stammered, fear causing his heart to race as he leaned back, away from Shadow Link. "I-I. . .Vaati. My name is Vaati."

Shadow Link only grinned at the other's discomfort. "Vaati, Vaati. Such a pretty name. You don't seem to like having me so close to you, mon petit chou-chou. Are you. . ." Here he leaned closer, placing his hands on the back of Vaati's chair. ". . . frightened of me? Someone's pet perhaps, worried what your Master would say?"

Well, that drew a response.

Vaati's red eyes flared with anger, desperate denial and despair as he tried to lash out- failing of course, the manacles saw to that- at Shadow Link, snarling angrily. "I am no one's pet!"

Shadow Link laughed as he pulled back, floating up to lay casually on his stomach above Vaati's head. The boy watched him, a curious longing in his eyes as his anger fizzled out.

"A prisoner then." Shadow Link mused. "How fun. I wonder why you're kept up here?" He flipped over to lay on his back, looking at Vaati upside down.

Vaati's head bowed once more, his shoulders slumping forward. Shadow Link frowned, landing on his feet. Wall, that wasn't any fun!

Shadow Link stalked forward, peering down at the lavender head in irritation. "Did you do something stupid?" He asked, pushing Vaati's hair back so he could see his face.

Vaati kept his eyes averted, shame and sadness reflected in them. ". . .Yes. I did something very, very stupid."

Shadow Link knelt beside him to better see his face. "What did you do?" he asked.

Vaati's mouth opened, then closed again. He shifted and looked away before bringing his eyes back to Shadow Link. "I. . ." He closed his mouth and lifted his gaze to the ceiling, staring fixedly at something Shadow Link did not see.

Shadow Link huffed, growing impatient. "Well?"

Distantly, the clock started to chime. Vaati's eyes grew wide and he sucked in a breath before turning panicked eyes to Shadow Link. "Go." He breathed.

Shadow Link stared down at him, his irritation turning to confusion. "What?"

"GO!" Vaati shouted. "He's coming and he mustn't find you here! Go! GO!"

Shadow Link backed up quickly. "Who?" He tried to ask, but Vaati was trembling, fighting the force that was trying to reclaim him.

"Go!"

Shadow Link ran.

Vaati's eyes flew open and he let out a scream, muffled by the fabric-wrapped stick shoved sideways in his mouth. He lay on his side, numerous cold, scaly hands holding him in place as he writhed and gasped for breath, delirious from the pain.

"Hold him!" A sharp voice commanded. A crack resounded somewhere behind him, jarring something lodged in his body. There was a terrible sucking noise, and burning, searing pain in his shoulder before hands clamped down over the wound, trying to staunch the flow of bright red blood staining the lavender of his clothing.

"Get him up, the potion, quickly, before he bleeds out!" That same authoritative voice snapped, but Vaati's consciousness was lost again.

"Here." Someone pressed a cup to his lips, and cool water flowed into his mouth. A hand massaged his throat, encouraging him to swallow. A soft groan escaped his lips, the liquid like a soothing caress from within. A soft chuckle made him open his eyes, his red gaze meeting amused ruby.

"You look like hell. Your Master must not feed you very well." Stated Shadow Link plainly, reaching for a bowl at his side.

Vaati seemed to wake a little more at that. "I am not-"

"Yeah, yeah, not a pet. Yes, I know." Shadow Link brought a spoon to Vaati's lips. The stew smelled heavenly, but Vaati was wary of poisons, futile though his worry was. He could not recall the last time food had passed his lips. Gufuu usually took care of such things himself.

"Eat." Shadow Link urged. "I'm beginning to wonder if all pets are stubborn. Don't know what's good for you; it's why you're a pet, so someone can take care of you." He nodded, as though reassuring himself more than Vaati.

Vaati opened his mouth hesitantly, allowing Shadow Link to give him the first spoonful. It was wonderful; a mix of savory spiced, thick gravy-like broth and bits of vegetable, perfectly cooked. His eyes drifted shut as another pleased moan escaped.

Shadow Link chuckled, amused by the display. "There, see? Pretty good isn't it?" His expression turned thoughtful as he gave Vaati another spoonful. "Perhaps I should introduce you to my pet. He's a Sheikah, you know. Well, sort of."

Vaati almost choked on his stew at that piece of news. Sheikah? Yes, he remembered them, a subset of the Hylian Knights, if he remembered correctly. During his time with the magical cap (and all that was his own doing, he was sorry to say. He'd been lucky, so very lucky the Hero had forgiven him. Then Gufuu had to go and ruin it. . .) many were turned to stone when they tried to rescue the princess from him. They were good; better than good. He'd never seen fighters like them before or since. They had come close to defeating his magic many times, very close, even without the Picori blade. Master Ezlo had said he'd honored them with a gift before he left, but he hadn't told Vaati what it was.

Funny, now that he thought about it. Gufuu hadn't complained about them even once, and Vaati couldn't recall seeing one through Gufuu's eyes. What had become of them?

Shadow Link poked his lips with the spoon, tired of being ignored. "What? You alright?"

"Yes, yes I'm fine." Said Vaati, opening his mouth for another bite. "I can feed myself, you know." He waved his right hand, as though to show he had at least enough freedom of movement to do that.

Shadow Link laughed. "Too bad, because I want to do it. Now open your mouth and sit still!"

A few more bites and Vaati realized with a pang that the delicious stew was gone. Shadow Link set the empty bowl aside and regarded him, resting his chin on steepled fingers as he floated in midair. Vaati watched his posture enviously. To be supported by nothing but the beautiful wind itself. . .

"So what are you, anyway?" The childlike voice broke the silence.

Vaati jumped. "P-pardon?"

Shadow Link shifted so that he lay on his front, still floating in the air. "Well, why are you here, if you're not a pet? Who do you belong to? Whose prisoner are you?"

Vaati's head bowed, lavender hair hiding his face. ". . .I think you should go."

Shadow Link frowned, reaching out to cup Vaati's chin in a perverse imitation of a lover's gentle touch. "Are you going to cry for me?" He asked with a twisted grin. "You're lovely when you cry."

Vaati batted his hand away, and Shadow Link laughed.

Hands pulled him up into a sitting position and one tugged the gag from his mouth, another pressing smooth glass to his lips. The taste was vile and made him want to wretch, but the hands were insistent, unyielding until he'd drunk it all.

Well, he thought dully, at least if it was poison he was already half-dead anyway, judging by the way he felt.

But no, even as the thought crossed his mind he felt himself revive. The wound in his shoulder stitched itself together, and some of his strength returned to him. His vision cleared, and most of the hands released him, the sound of quick footsteps indicating that one of them had run off somewhere.

"There we are boy." The same voice spoke, "how do you feel?" The owner was an older Zora, who lacked the military accoutrements of those around him.

Vaati broke into another coughing fit, and the healer nodded as though this were all the answer he needed. "You," he said, pointing to one of the younger members of the party, "return to the Domain and go to the Shopkeeper. Tell him I need a vial of green potion, blue if he has it. Red alone won't do here."

The boy looked quizzical, but didn't question, running off to do as he was bid.

"Heh heh heh. The old Zora can see it, brat." Came the amused voice of Gufuu in his ear.

Vaati shuddered at the dark tone, dropping his eyes from the Zora watching him. "See what?"

Full-out laughter rang in his ears. "You'll figure it out, soon enough."

A commotion near the water drew Vaati's attention from the demon in his head. A new Zora stood by the shore of the river, frantically waving a sheet of parchment in his hand. The Zora near him stood up to look, shocked gasps and murmurs traveling through the crowd.

"Elder." The new Zora drew near to them, holding the parchment out for inspection. The healer took it, his eyes filling with sadness as he read the words.

"Poor Link." The old one murmured. "Poor boy."

Cringing at the pain in his shoulder, Vaati reached out to touch the elder Zora's hand. "Please," he rasped. The Zora regarded him for a moment, then offered the parchment to him. There on the front was a pictograph of little Link, his skin marred by bruises. Someone off-pictogragh held his head still for the image, but his eyes were squeezed shut, likely in an attempt to protect his sensitive eyes. Guilt twisted like a snake in Vaati's stomach.

By Order of the King

At dawn tomorrow this Cursed Triforce Child will be publicly executed.

All citizens are welcome to see this blight upon our beautiful land shot dead.

Angry shouts near the shore broke through his thoughts. Two Zora stood mere inches apart, gesticulating wildly, their faces rapidly turning purple with their rage.

"My Prince, you cannot expect me to risk my men in a suicidal rescue mission against the Crown itself, just to save one little boy?" Barked a large Zora, a battle-hardened warrior. The small Zora he was arguing with shook furiously.

"That one little boy bears the mark of the Hero, one Hyrule will soon need! That one little boy is my brother in all but blood, one of us in every way that matters! I would not leave any of my people to die, and that includes him!" Prince Ralis had lost all composure, pulling at his head-fins in frustration. This was worse than the time he found Link's village attacked and the boy gone. Then, there had been hope. This time there was proof of the danger, and knowledge that he, himself, had allowed it to happen. "That one little boy has done nothing to deserve this!"

The General, for that's what the large Zora was, gestured irately at the small contingent surrounding them at the mouth of the river, those that had gathered to wait for word from the Hero and his shadow. "I will not risk my men. They would be shot dead in a second, and us all declared traitors to the oaths our ancestors swore! Prince or not, I won't do it! He knew the risks when he went in!"

Vaati barely noticed the return of the young Zora sent off to fetch his potion. He barely noticed the blue-filled bottle pressed into his hands, or the gentle, guiding touch that brought it to his lips, or the foul flavor on his tongue. He did notice when some of his strength returned, and he stood to make his way to the dueling pair, bottle still clasped in his left hand.

Calmly he raised his right hand, and flicked his wrist. A blast of wind shot between the Prince and his General, sending them sprawling almost comically onto their fins.

"I will go."

Two guards led the boy past a screaming crowd of Hylians and humans to his death in the courtyard of the castle. His wrists were bound together, the rope running up to his neck where it formed a sort of slipknot. If he struggled, he'd choke himself. But, looking down at the state of the small form, the King rather thought there was little chance of that, cursed child or not.

The boy in the violet tunic walked with a heavy limp, favoring his right side. Someone threw something at him, the King couldn't see what. The boy ducked instinctively, the movement slowing his progress. His escorts noticed; the one behind kicked him hard in the back, sending him tumbling to the ground as more items pelted him. He gasped and choked for breath as the same guard gave the rope a vicious yank, tugging his neck back so fast the King feared it would break prematurely.

Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule the XXII, King of Hyrule, turned to his High Mage, who stood at his side. "Such a shame, Cornelius, my friend. First, my own daughter, now a young boy. A right shame."

Cornelius turned his dark eyes to the King. "This one was sighted in the palace, you recall, your Majesty. Undoubtedly he was looking for the Stealer of the Triforce of Wisdom, so that they might together raise the Stealer of Power and bring chaos to Hyrule."

The King gave a heavy sigh, removing his crown to pat his forehead with an embroidered handkerchief. "Even so, it is difficult to watch, but I suppose we all must suffer for the good of Hyrule. Cornelius, wouldn't your son be his age, if he and your wife had survived labor those years ago?"

Cornelius's back stiffened at the mention of it, but the King didn't notice. "Yes," he answered shortly. "I suppose he would. If you'll excuse me, sire, I had best oversee the execution."

"Of course," Said the King heavily, eyes drawn to the boy who now being forced to stand against a wooden pole set in the blazing sun. His two guards held him tightly in their bruising grips while others unbound his wrists from in front of him, retying them behind his back around the pole. Another tied a rope around his neck, intending to strangle him if the arrows didn't end him instantly. One of them tore open his tunic to give the archers a clear shot. The unnaturally pale skin was a mass of welts and bruises, proof of his jailers' efforts to beat a confession from him.

When the prisoner was secured, Cornelius moved to stand to the side of the archers, scroll held high. The guards flanking him raised their arms, and the crowds fell silent.

"By order of Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule the XXII, this, the Stealer of Courage, shall be sentenced to death on this day. On my word, the archers will release their arrows, and the thief will be shot until dead." So saying, he rolled up the scroll and handed it to a waiting apprentice before turning to the archers. "Arches, take positions!"

"Monsters! Monsters, the lot of you! He's only a child" A sobbing shout rose from the crowd, an old woman near to tears. Her family pulled her back and out of the crowd, away before the guards became angry.

Her cries, however, were enough to stir the consciences of the archers. Not one raised his bow.

The crowd shouted angrily, and Cornelius scowled. "What's wrong with the lot of you? Take position! Do you want to doom Hyrule?" He demanded. The ten men selected looked at each other. Most of them had children of their own. Two dropped their bows to the ground, and at their lead the others followed.

Cornelius snarled. Clearly, the archers were made of lesser stuff than those who guarded the prisoners in the dungeons. His fine silk cloak billowed about him as he stalked forward, knocking the man aside. He fetched the bow from the ground, and motioned the archers back. "Cowards! Very well, then. I shall see to the unpleasant business myself." Cornelius notched an arrow, and lifted the bow to aim at the cursed child's heart.

Until this time, Link's eyes had remained closed. He was still unused to the bright sunlight, and it seared his eyes painfully. At the sound of the string being pulled, however, he opened those blue eyes, and lifted his chin to face his executioner.

Those eyes. Her eyes. Medilia.

Cornelius faltered, then his eyes hardened. He would still have her, if it weren't for this boy. His fingers opened, and he let the arrow fly.

Fwump.

Cornelius blinked in shock, then flushed in embarrassment. The arrow had flown high as though caught in a sudden breeze, hitting the pole well above the boy's head. He notched a second arrow.

The wind blew more strongly this time, and the arrow did something arrows shouldn't do. It curved to the right and flew high, narrowly missing the King's long, pointed ear. "Corelius!" Shouted the King, ducking quickly.

Angry and frustrated, and perhaps not thinking as clearly as he ought, Cornelius began to chant. He summoned between his hands a long, thin rod of glowing magic. This he shot at the boy, sure to pierce his heart and end his life.

An unnatural tornado-like wind suddenly picked up in front of Link, dispersing the magic harmlessly. Screams broke out across the courtyard, most of the citizens and several soldiers taking off in a frightened dash.

Laughter echoed across the space as the tornado dispersed to reveal a grinning red-eyed demon cloaked in lavender. Guards hurried the King to safety while Cornelius took a fighting stance.

"I don't know who you are, demon, but you will not interfere!" Cornelius shouted, beginning one of his spells.

"Demon?" Vaati chuckled. "I am not the sick man pointing a bow at a defenseless child." He'd done awful things in his time, but never, never would he ever. . .

"You've tried to kill him before, too, hypocrite." Said the voice in his head.

"Never this young! Shut up!"

Cornelius's expression twisted with rage, that mad glint returning again to his eyes. "I will purge Hyrule however it must be done!" Another bolt of glowing energy shot at the distracted Vaati. The pure, burning energy grazed his skin before with a swipe of his arm and a gust of wind, he knocked it aside. It hit a nearby statue of the King, blowing it to smithereens.

Acting quickly in the resulting confusion, Vaati hurried to Link, directing wind as sharp as a knife to cut the bonds that held him. His support suddenly gone, Link fell forward, Vaati catching him in waiting arms. Vaati draped Link's arms about him and wrapped one of his hand's about Link's waist before summoning the wind to him, feeling it whip about his face as it lifted them higher and higher, repelling spears and arrows and drowning out the shouts below. Too bad it couldn't drown out the caustic voice in his head.

"You should leave him to die. One less pest for me to exterminate later."

Vaati ignored Gufuu, too focused on their transport to acknowledge him. High above the castle they vanished, Vaati keeping their destination firmly fixed in his mind. After what seemed to him agonizing magic-draining hours, the tempest around them slowed and dropped to a quiet breeze, depositing them both in the throne room of Zora's Domain.

Vaati's knees buckled, and as he pitched forward in exhaustion yet again, it occurred to him that even out of practice as he was, such magic as that should not drain him so completely, especially when bolstered by a blue potion.

In his head, Gufuu laughed.

Yeah...This is one of those chapters where I go back to edit it and have to wonder, what the heck is wrong with me? This is the longest chapter yet, almost 4,000 words. This was a pretty heavy chapter, so I hope you all click that button down there and leave me a review to let me know what you think, even if it's just to tell me I'm messed up in the head.

Thank you to the Chapter thirteen reviewers:

segment thought: You're just messing with my head now. :P Lots of Vaati for you in this Chapter, and Dark Link being a crazy creeper at him. And then there's Gufuu, who obviously knows something Vaati doesn't. I love drama, can you tell? So. . . have you figured how who the crazy guy was yet?

Claradwor: Welcome back! As you may have noticed, I'm a terrible person and am having way too much tormenting everyone.

Kick-Aft: We don't know what happened to Zelda. Seriously, I haven't completely decided yet. All we know for sure is she no longer has the Triforce, but her father knows she had it. Is Sheik fighting back? Well, he's sort of gone right now. Must Power always be evil? Or is that just Ganondorf's influence? I love the questions, just be prepared for me to shoot them right back at you and see if I can get you to say what you're thinking about the answers. And thank you! Overdone description drives me bonkers, so I try to avoid it.

Darkwolflink1: Congratulations, your name now appears on my autofill when I'm typing the responses out. Lol. I haven't quite decided how to explain how he's aged. He's not a kid, he's just really small, but he's not physically very old either, since the sheer amount of magic he's been steeped in has kept him from aging normally for centuries. Or, that's my explanation for my reality-bending fun.

Demonologist666: New reviewer! Hi! Interesting thought, but no. Try again! Although, if I back myself into a really bad corner, Fierce Deity would be a good deus ex machina device.