Short chapter but unlike the last two: IT HAS STUFF GOING ON. HOMYGAW. I know, even I'm shocked at myself.

Ah... I have nothing to say, really... Like seriously, normally I'm a huge chatter box but right now... nothing.

Well, enjoy your early chapter you weaboos. :B

"This… This is delicious!" Vega said as he glanced down at the meat in his hands. He eagerly took another bite and even Zelda could feel the immense satisfaction the star had from his meal.

"You've never eaten meat?" Asked the witch almost skeptically.

The star shook his head and waited until he finished with his mouthful before saying, "No. Up in the heavens we do have meat, but it's a rarity to actually get a hold of it."

Link, still a wolf, whined. "Please change me back now?"

Zelda looked at him and seemed to be thinking it over. That incurred a chuckle from Vega, "Good luck with that, mate." He told the star.

"Oh shush, Vega." Snapped the blond girl. She redirected her attention to the collared wolf and then said, "No, I think you should stay a wolf. Hunting's much easier for you as a wolf than as a human. My aim is terrible-" Liar. "- and Vega has way too much power behind his magic. You're perfect for this."

Link snarled and snapped. "Not fair! Change me back, woman!"

"Keep talking like that and I may as well keep you as a wolf." She said flatly.

The wolf merely growled, but that's all it was. Deciding he might as well accept it, he took up the venison chunk that Zelda had torn for him and chomped on it hungrily.

A wooden jingling sound announced the return of Makar. The little Korok came stumbling through with his little sack of bluesnaps roots. As always, he offered the three some of his roots and, as always, they refused as politely as they could.

After taking another tear from his venison, Vega looked around their surroundings seeing that everything looked the same as it always did. Trees, trees… more trees… ferns and bushes, fallen trees… so much foliage that it was difficult to walk a straight line. Vega certainly felt bad for Link who actually had to drag the carcass of the dead doe to their little spot. It was kind of a blessing that they had managed to find a clear enough space to start a fire and fir their meal. But the forest was ever so frustrating. His sense of time had gradually worsened to the point where their only timer was the Korok… and he really wasn't sure if they were anywhere near their desired location… well, Link and Zelda's desired location, at least.

"Korok," Vega began, "How much farther do we have to go?"

Makar looked up from his little assortment for a moment and said, "Not too far now. We should be arriving within the next day or so…"

"Ah, how close will we actually be to the castle?" Asked Zelda.

The little Korok looked at the ground and shifted his stumpy little legs. "I'm not sure… I've never left the forest, but from the edge you can see a wall. The castle's behind the wall."

"It seems close enough." Vega mused. "I have no idea what you plan to do from there, Ducky."

"It's obvious. You'll grant our wish." Zelda said cheerily.

Link snorted on the meat he had been chewing on.

"See, even your little pet knows I won't be granting anyone's wishes." The silvertop said nonchalantly. … Not my business…

Zelda's fists clenched her dark blue robes. After a moment she finally said in a frustrated voice, "How can you still say no? This is for a just cause!"

A twinge of shared irritation surged through both the star being and the witch.

"I'm easy. The fate of your kingdom is not my problem." Said the silvertop simply.

This time, Link snorted.

Forking an eyebrow, the star said, "And what's so funny, mutt?"

The wolf finished gobbling down the chunk of meat he had been eating before grunting, "You seem adamant enough about staying here. If you really do plan to do that, then the death of the king is your problem."

"Not really." Shrugged the star. "At least I don't see it."

Link didn't even bother to try and argue. There was no arguing with people like Vega. It wouldn't have stopped Zelda, but she didn't bother only because she shared his emotions… and some thought. Both were telling her he couldn't be reasoned with.

The witch didn't understand. What did she need to say or do to convince him that this was important?

After a time of seemingly never ending silence, Link rested his head on his paws and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep. Zelda figured that was as good an idea as any and laid on her side, facing away from everyone else. She wasn't truly tired, however. She was actually waiting for Vega to sleep so her thoughts could be free and unchecked… At least, while he was asleep she hoped they were free. She eventually heard the star shift around. All of a sudden, her link with him seemed… quieted. Not gone, for she could still feel him somehow, but his mind seemed empty. The witch took that as him being asleep.

How could she convince him to grant this wish? And why was he so determined not to grant anyone's wishes? She could understand him not wanting to go back to his homeland… granting a wish surely wouldn't send him right back up, would it? That was the only reason she could think of for him not wanting to grant a wish, but no records she had ever read had told her that was the case. Perhaps the records weren't reliable? She was digressing, though. The king needed to be cured and Vega seemed to be the only available option. No matter what the cost, she needed Vega to do this.

She slowly sat up and glanced around her. The fire had died down and maker sat beside it, curled up in a ball. Link remained as he had been before, but the erratic eye movement behind his closed lids told her he was asleep and dreaming. Vega, much as she had, had his back to everyone else. He remained still, save for calm breathing. Satisfied that everyone was asleep, Zelda reached for her spellbook, which she had set aside. Opening it gently and as soundlessly as she could, she flipped the pages silently looking for something that may help her.

Just the thought of what she was looking for had her stomach knotting up. She remembered how Link was angered at her for the controlling nature behind the spells she had crafted were controlling. But just one more time couldn't be that bad… It was for a good cause. And it would be a spell she could handle for sure, this time. All she had to do was find an appropriate spell and when the time came… And she'd take it right back afterwards. It had to be short too; Vega would expect something otherwise…

As she flipped through the book, slowly and scanning each page carefully, she finally came upon something she was looking for. A spell of compulsion; it was within her limits and reversible. She gave a guilty glance to Vega but Zelda then remembered her mission. This was a necessary evil – she couldn't feel bad for it.

Nodding her head as a form of self-assurance, she closed the book quietly and then set it back aside. She lay back down, this time facing the wolf beside her and yawned. She was kind of tired…

Link grunted. She couldn't help but wonder if he had wolf dreams as a wolf. Zelda found herself frowning a little at that thought. If that was true, was she sapping away his humanity then? If that was the case… then even a sexist pig like Link didn't deserve such a fate… She bit her lip, disturbed by that thought. Disturbed by herself. She was the one causing all of this… And at the time, she thought she had been justified in doing so… But was she really?

I should release his curse… She thought. At the same time, though, if she did do that… What were the chances that he would remain civil with her? Only up until she and Vega were two separate souls again rather than one soul mangled and mutated. After that… She was a witch, he was a page for the castle. He could have her thrown in the gaol.

Pursing her lips, she had come to a decision. For the moment, she would keep him cursed. When everything was all done with, she'd lift his curse and then run away. Run far, far away.

She relaxed, telling herself she'd sort out the rest of the details later.

Closing her eyes, sleep took her much faster than she expected… but she didn't object to it welcoming darkness.

Vega, on the other hand, was not asleep. He merely gave off the impression of being asleep by simply not thinking. He had basically turned his mind into a sponge, able to receive but that was all. His brain was now back to its normal state and digesting everything that he heard of Zelda's thoughts. Some parts didn't make sense, but he puzzled enough of it together to know she was going to try something. Something about compulsion…

He gritted his teeth. She would dare try to enthrall me? He thought bitterly. And those were thoughts he hoped would haunt her dreams. It was time for him to concoct his own plan.

As soon as they arrived in Castle Town, he would separate from them. The link would weaken if he went too far a distance, so he couldn't go that far… But he needed to find some advanced magician - a wizard or sorcerer… Anyone who could release his accursed link with that irritating girl who thought magic was the answer to everything! And then he'd run… he would run far away, perhaps to the desert. The blistering heat and strong daylight would be the last place they would expect to find him.

I bend to no one's will. He thought bitterly.

He did not sleep.