It was infuriating. Even though he couldn't move, Knil's brain felt like it was going a mile a minute. What the hell was he doing, laying around here? Link needed him to get this stupid stone to him, but he couldn't do that, if he was laying around here.

It seemed the more he cursed his own inadequacies, the further his head seemed to detach from his body. It grew to a point where Knil almost felt that all too familiar sensation of floating in water. All sense of time left him, unable to pin point exactly how long he had laid there, in this pathetic position. There had to be some way for him to move. If nothing else, his own stubbornness was always good for motivation.

The sound of running water started to draw him back into consciousness. It seemed, the louder the sound grew, the more distant the floating feeling felt on his body. Was it the waterfall? He was pretty sure he was close enough to where he should be able to hear it. His chest felt heavy, the usual pace of his heart felt as though it was straining greatly to keep going. The sharp pierce kept growing more and more intense with each pulse.

The intense beat restricted his breathing a bit, and Knil had to gasp to try and catch it. He groaned, feeling a dull ache form in his head. Now that he was regaining consciousness, he was becoming more and more aware of how much pain he was in.

"Master?"

Upon hearing the voice, Knil became aware of the familiar weight on his shoulder. A tiny hand stroked his cheek. "Master, are you awake?"

"I-Ivan?" Knil turned his hand towards the voice, hearing the small sprinklings of magic as she flitted upward, to keep from getting in the way. She called to him again, and Knil finally managed to wrench his eyes open. All he could see was a blur of violet light, specking the bright surroundings. Soon his gaze focused, and Ivan came into clearer view.

The violet faerie smiled, throwing herself onto Knil's shoulder, in what was probably meant to be a enthused hug. "Master, you're alive!"

It felt as though he had swallowed dust, and coughed to try and get it out. Nevertheless, Knil smiled at the excited faerie. "Yea." He croaked. "I guess I am." His eyes blinked against the bright light, looking around the surroundings. He saw what looked like the ceiling of a cave, and realized he was laying in some kind of cobble-stoned street. "Where am I?"

Luith leaned over him, a snide grin on his face, so suddenly that it startled Knil. "Take a wild guess."

With a great effort, Knil managed to flip himself over and looked around the small village. It looked a lot different, with the stone casting such a strong light, but once he'd fully taken in the surroundings, everything started to seem familiar. "Wow."

"Well." Luith continued to crouch in front of him, that grin still plastered on his face. "I'd say, seeing you awake sure is promising."

"What do you mean?"

"See. For yourself." He gestured over towards the source of the flowing water.

Knil followed the hand to see something was laying in the water. He pushed up onto the edge of the fountain to see Link laying amongst the glowing water, his blonde hair rippling in the waves. He appeared to be sleeping. "Link?" A sense of dread washed over him, as he reached a hand in to touch his shoulder, but couldn't bring himself to actually make contact. "Link, are you ok?" That light must have been the stone... had he been healed? There didn't appear to be any blood, so maybe there was a chance he was alright. "Link?"

Navi was seated on the edge of the fountain, brushing a hand through Link's damp hairs. "He's going to be fine." Her eyes started to tear for what must have been once more of many times before. "He's just resting."

Knil glanced down into the docile face of the young hero, feeling the anxiety melting into a warm kind of kinship. He reached a hand down, resting his palm against Link's cheek, his fingers slipping into the cool water. "Link."

Almost as soon as his hand made contact, Link groaned, seeming as if he was going to come around. The soft blue of his eyes still seemed rather hazy, staring off towards the ceiling. He was breathing slowly, almost as if he was trying to practice, and spoke in one gasp, "Knil?"

"Hey, now." Knil crawled into the fountain, kneeling over Link. "You alive?" He pulled him into a sitting position, propped up against the rim. He started to smack him lightly, on the cheek. "Come on, I heard you talk. You can't fake it, anymore."

Link sighed, closing his eyes, though only briefly. When he opened them again, his gaze quickly focused onto his shadow. "Knil." He started softly.

"LINK!" Navi zoomed forward, throwing her arms "around" Link. "You're alive again!"

"Again? What are you talking about? What happened?"

"You nearly kicked it, ya moron." Knil sniggered, smacking him in the face, a bit harder this time. "You just can't keep from playing the hero, can you?"

"Guess, I'm just a sucker. I can't turn away from people in need." Link's head lolled lazily on his shoulders. "But I think I finally did something really special." A broad smile slid across his face. "I don't think I've ever seen you smile, so genuinely, before. Are you really that happy to see I'm ok?"

Knil's face deflated a bit, then his smile turned a bit more cynical. "Well, evidence proves that I have to be. Apparently, if you get wiped out, then I'm in bad shape."

Link laughed, holding his ribs, when he did so. "I guess you have to rethink your own desire to kill me then, huh?"

Knil laughed lightly, settling in next to Link. "Yea, I guess I do."

Link sighed, his head falling against Knil's shoulder, his eyes closing. "Something wrong?"

"Just tired."

"That's understandable." They both glanced up to see Luith leaning over them. "Why don't you two come inside, to rest."

xXx

A bit later, Link was resting safely in the bed, in the small room, Navi standing guard over him. Knil was sitting at the kitchen table, Ivan sitting on his shoulder. Luith set a cup of tea down in front of him, and sat down opposite him, folding his hands on the table. "You do realize what this means, don't you?"

"What what means?"

"Yes, I was able to use the Stone of Life to bring Link back, but there's some major consequences to this action. His spirit is infused with the stone, just like the citizens of this village. He can't ever leave this village, or he's still going to die." He knew by the horror induced glare spiking in Knil's eyes, that he needed to elaborate further. "That stone is a very powerful force. It keeps the people, of this village, alive, so long as they stay in this area. Now, Link may be able to survive a bit longer than my people, but believe me, when I say, that he wouldn't last more than a few weeks."

"You're trying to tell me, there's no way for Link to leave this place?"

Luith shook his head, solemnly. "I'm afraid not."

Knil groaned, running his fingers through his hair. His hand rested on the back of his neck, staring down at the untouched liquid, cooling in his cup. "There has to be some way out."

"You should still be free to go, of course."

Knil's glare flashed up towards him, not even having to vocalize the sentiment. He sighed, closing his eyes. Link already told him that he didn't want to live in castle town, because it felt like a prison. How was he going to react when he found out he was stuck here? Ivan drifted down, to the table, and sat down, staring up at her master. They both felt a bit hopeless.

"Link's not going to like having to stay here."

"I wish there was some way I could help." Both of them started to fade into contemplative silence.

Finally, Knil scooted his chair away from the table, and headed back into the bedroom. He stopped, in the doorway, shocked to see Link sitting up on the bed. His chin was resting on his knees, hands grasping his ankles. "Judging by the look on your face, I'd say it's true." He asked, not even bothering to look up at his visitor.

Knil's shoulders slumped. "Could you hear us talking?"

Link shook his head, his gaze fixed on the opposite wall. "Navi was telling me what happened. I figured it out for myself."

Ivan flew over to join Navi on the bed stand.

Knil sighed, and made his way over, settling onto the bed. He folded his hands in his lap. "We'll figure something out."

Link smiled, at the 'we' comment. "It's alright. I mean, at least I'm not dead."

Knil's eyes turned on him, both knowing that sentiment wasn't going to last long. "How many times are you going to have to tell yourself that, before you believe it?"

Link let out a short snort, that almost sounded like he was trying to hold back a sob. "I think I'm going to lose count, before I do."

Noting the fall in his demeanor, the two faeries floated up to comfort him.

Huffing in frustration, Knil spun around to him, smacking Link's legs out from under his head. "You're not fit to be the negative thinker, here. Now, cut it out, or I'm going to hit you."

A bit stunned, at first, then Link smiled. "Is that mainly because you can't handle it?"

"I don't want to handle it." He smirked, shaking his head. "You gotta be the positive one, around here."

"But you're almost there." Link laughed, patting him on the cheek.

"Shut up."

xXx

"Are you sure I can't convince you to stay?" Luith inquired, standing at the entrance to the tunnel, with the two swordsmen.

"I'd rather take my chances, looking for a cure." Link stated, casting a sideways glance to his shadow.

Luith laughed outright at the statement. "You make it sound like a disease."

"A physical anomaly, that could kill me? Sounds like a disease to me." His eyes fell into a sympathetic gleam. "And, I'm not the only one to think so, am I?"

It seemed as though Luith was startled, by the statement, but soon his gaze shifted to the ground, and he smiled. "No, I guess you're not." He stepped forward to shake Link's hands. "Just take care of yourself out there. If you feel any kind of problems, feel free to come on back, for a recharge."

Link smiled, cocking his head uncertain. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

"Well, good luck." He moved over to Knil. "No hard feelings?"

Knil eyed the offer, cocking a brow up to the owner of the hand. Reluctantly, he took Luith's hand, letting him shake it. Without warning, Luith dragged Knil closer, into a very tight hug. Knil yelped, trying to push him off. He finally let go, ruffling the top of his head. "You need to loosen up, Kid."

"Don't call me, Kid." Knil growled, pulling his hat back into place. Before he could escape again, Luith threw an arm around his shoulder, pulling him in closer. "You listen, now." He whispered, his tone more serious. "You make sure to take care if this one." His gaze shifted over to Link, who smirked, clearly able to hear him. "He's too kind, for his own good, and a bit stupid."

"Hey." Link whined, planting his fists on his hips.

"He's likely to get himself killed again." Knil glanced over to his lighter side. He already knew this, but it felt strange to have someone else telling him to take care of someone he had once sworn to kill. "And if he starts getting sick, or anything." Luith jabbed him hard in the chest. "You drag him back here, kicking and screaming, if you have to."

Knil slid out of Luith's grip, straightening his tunic. "Yea, sure. I'll just do that." He stated, rolling his eyes.

"You better."

Link held his arms folded across his chest, eying his shadow suspiciously. "You're going to protect me?"

Returning the snide glare, Knil folded his arms in an almost snobbish nature, turning his head to better emphasize the point. "Hmph, somebody has to."

"Yea, right. You can't even swim."

All bets were off, and Knil swung around, advancing on him. "I can too swim!"

Link scoffed, starting off down the tunnel. "Don't try to lie to me."

"I'm not." Knil growled, starting after him.

Luith laughed, waving at their retreating backs. "You two, be careful, out there."

Link had the courteous to wave back, but Knil just ignored him. "I'll have you know that I swam through these stupid falls, just to get down here. Why do you think I'm wearing this damn tunic?" He asked, pulling at the collar of the blue tunic.

Link gave him a brief glance, before answering. "You look better in blue?"

"No! Well, maybe, but that's beside the point. Just because I choose not to, doesn't mean I can't. I grew up in the freaking Water Temple."

"Yea. In about a foot of water."

Knil's rage diminished into dull annoyance. "Remind me again, why I came back for you?"

Link shrugged. "Because, you die, if I die?"

Snorting, Knil folded his arms again. "I didn't know that, at the time. So, that can't be it."

Before he knew what had happened, Link had spun around, and was grinning innocently, right into his face. "Because, you actually care about me." This time it wasn't an offered question. He spoke as if stating fact.

Briefly caught off guard, then Knil sneered back, though his face was heating slightly. "That definitely isn't it."

Link seemed undeterred. "No, I think it is." He poked Knil in the chest. "You're starting to care for my safety."

"Why the hell would I be concerned for an annoying brat, like you?"

"Because, I'm just so damn cute." The knowledge of Link saying this, along with the added emphases he threw on the last three words, caused the two faeries to nearly fall out of the air with laughter. Knil, however didn't find it as amusing. He felt his face flush deeper, scowling at the obnoxious faeries. "Will you two cut it out!"

Instantly, Ivan fell silent, though Navi only dulled. "Oh, lighten up." She chimed, brushing a tear.

Knil just huffed.

Link pulled back his teasing, a bit, stepping away. "Fine. Be stubborn, but it's not gonna stop me from wishing for your well-being. Soon, you'll be able to admit that you actually care for mine, as well. Then, maybe we can be a team." With that, he spun around, and started down the tunnel. Navi took off after him, but Ivan hung back, falling on her master's shoulder.

Knil scowled, his red eyes gleaming down at the blonde swordsman's retreating back. An odd sense of familiarity started to flood into him, though it wasn't a positive kind. He had been forced to act against his own nature to benefit Link. In order to save his life, and help protect the town.

"Soon, you'll see that my way is best." The deep voice of his creator seemed to echo in his head. "And, once I get what I want, you can serve at my side."

He knew it was all a lie. He always knew that Ganon would most likely kill him, first chance he got, but playing along gave him more time. The dark king most likely knew he had figured this out as well, and used this knowledge to manipulate him to do whatever he wanted. Link had proven himself to be a lot smarter, than he first let on, but could he possibly be that cunning. It wasn't as harsh, or as brutal as Ganondorf's methods, but Knil was starting to feel as though Link had been manipulating him. It was as if this whole 'nice guy' thing was just a way to get Knil onto his side. And now, he had the, you die, if I die, as just another notch to make sure he stuck around.

Knil clenched his fists, and started further down the tunnel. Maybe Link's intentions weren't as malicious as Ganon's were, (In fact, he was most willing to bet that they were no where close.) but that was beside the point. He did not like being used, and he sure as hell wasn't just going to sit back and let it happen anymore.

##

AN: What's this? Another story arc? I thought it was going to end. Actually, I had intended to make there be a second story, though I'm trying to decide if I should actually make it a sequel, or just continue on this one? Either way, I'm going to claim this one unfinished until I decide. I'm not yet clear on all of the details yet, so it may be a while, but hopefully not too long.

On a side note, has anyone ever realized that Link kinda is a manipulative bastard? Sure he's super nice, but he uses that niceness to get people to give/do things that he needs them to. I mainly realized this when my friends were calling me a tool, for making Link go around and helping everyone, and I just responded that I'm only doing it to get what I want. Link has the power to rule the world, through kindness. Let's just hope he stays on the side of good.