XXXIV: Caught by the King

Before the Calamity

"Every hero has his Achilles' heel," Jean cackled under his breath as he peered around the corner, seeing Zelda plant a kiss on Link's lips. "His, unfortunately for him, is the Princess."

Jean looked one more time before running down the hall to find the King.

Zelda kissed Link as her sadness dissipated, completely unaware that they had been spotted. Link wrapped his hands around Zelda's waist in a comforting manner.

They stayed there, wallowing in the time-stop they felt together when suddenly, they heard footsteps running down the hall. Link pulled away quickly and turned to the noise.

"Well, well, well," Jean sneered upon his return as he turned around the corner. "The Princess! And her knight. Quite the- unusual, not to mention forbidden, couple!"

"You don't know anything," Link growled as he moved in front of Zelda.

"That's funny for you to say because actually, I do." An evil grin grew on Jean's face as he walked slowly towards them. "You've changed, Link," he said as he movements became more intimidating. "Thinking you can get it on with the princess? Even an 'esteemed' knight such as yourself has no business with her- not to mention, you should know better! Where did all that humility go?"

Link's heart pounded in his chest as an unusual rage boiled inside of him. Zelda stood panicked behind Link, grabbing onto his arms.

"I know... everything. Do you want another scar like I gave you last time?"

"Leave him alone!" Zelda shouted as she moved in front of Link.

"Out of my way, princess!" Jean yelled as he shoved her aside, lunging at Link and knocking him on the ground.

They two knights grunted as they hit the ground while Jean threw punches in Link's face.

"Stop!" Zelda shrieked as she dropped to the ground and tried to pull Jean's arms. Jean threw Zelda aside, causing her to hit the wall extremely hard. She groaned and grabbed the back of her head, slightly sinking down into the floor from impact.

After seeing that, Link summoned inhuman strength and threw Jean off of him in pure rage. Link quickly jumped up and pinned Jean down on the ground.

"What is wrong with you?!" Link screamed in his face. It took every ounce of restraint in Link's body to not beat Jean senseless. His muscles quivered from anger as he held back the excessive force he could unleash on Jean.

However, Link stood up instead and ran towards Zelda who was lying groggily on the floor.

"Are you okay?" Link whispered as he cupped her face in his hands. "Zelda?"

"I'm okay," Zelda whispered back as he pulled her into his chest.

"If protecting the Princess is your job," the two heard as the voice behind them got nearer, "then you're not very good at it."

"Don't you say-" Link growled before getting interrupted. Jean swooped down and grabbed Link's arms, forcing him to stand up and pinning his hands violently behind his back. Link writhed around but could not escape Jeans grip, and he was forced to face the other way.

Then, another person walked around the corner.

"King Rhoam, your Honor!" Jean said as the King walked around the hall. "This is what I summoned you for."

"What is the meaning of this?" the King insisted while staring at his daughter on the floor and Link bruised and weak.

"Link was... violating your daughter, Your Honor."

"Zelda!" The King said shocked. "Is this true?"

"No, father!" Zelda said desperately. "It's not tr-"

"He kissed her, sir, against her will" Jean said, still holding Link's arms behind his back.

"Father, please! Don't listen-"

"This..." the king began, "this cannot be so! Link, I cannot believe this! You defiled my own daughter?"

"Your Honor," Jean said, "in this awful circumstance, I would be honored to offer myself in Link's place, should you need me."

"No!" Zelda shrieked, but the King payed her no mind.

"Link, what have you done," the King grumbled. He shook his head and began thinking of what to do.

"Would it be appropriate to take him to Lockup until further notice, sir?" Jean asked.

"Father, no! Listen to me, please! You can't-'

"That's enough Zelda!" the King shouted, throwing his arm down. "See yourself to your room, now. You will be traveling with Knight Jean tomorrow to the Spring of Wisdom."

"I will do no such th-"

"Enough!" King Rhoam grabbed Zelda's arm and pulled her away. "I say this with great regret, but Link, you leave me no choice at the moment. Jean, take Link to lockup."

"No!" Zelda yelled at her father. "I will never go anywhere with a disgusting excuse of a knight like you!" she hissed at Jean before being drug out of the room. Even down the hall, Zelda could be heard yelling and kicking.

Jean kicked Link from behind as they started walking through the castle halls to the underground lockup. Link tried a few times to escape from Jean and run, but every time he was punched in the back.

Jean brought Link to a cell where he knew better than to just leave him in there. He chained Link to the wall so he couldn't escape.

"If I had my way," Jean sneered, "you would rot in here." Jean picked up a stray stone off the floor and started beating Link with it. Link winced in pain and sunk to the floor with every blow, being completely defenseless against Jean. Jean continued to beat Link with his fists and kick him until Link was bleeding and could not handle another strike.

Then, Jean left to prepare for the journey with Zelda the following day.