Link stepped down the old stone stairs, surprised to see they were still relatively in tact. He'd expected more damage after the calamity but then again, they'd been underground and had no real value to Ganon or his underlings. It had never been intended as a full-time prison, just somewhere to hold criminals and threats until they could be transferred to the prison across the moat. There was probably no one in it when Ganon took over to make destroying it worthwhile.

''I have it from here,'' Link said and the guard that had been sitting aside looked hesitant to leave. ''Go.''

The guard ran up the stairs and Link walked down, standing perfectly still with his hands behind his back and staring into Braun's cell as if he was guarding it. The feeling was unnerving, Braun unsure what to say as he sat inside on the floor, his hand in his hair.

''What did I do?'' he asked and Link didn't respond, not even looking directly at him. ''Your errand boy threw me in a cage and didn't even explain what I did. Treason? Perjury?''

There were softer footsteps after an hour or so, Zelda walking down the stairs with her coat over her shoulders but much more convenient pants and shirt underneath than the dress she'd been in the night before. ''Hello Braun,'' the queen said, stepping next to Link who began to move for the first time since he'd taken the position. ''Were your rights read out to you yesterday?''

''I know what they are. I work for the council. I've read them out to real criminals,'' Braun said and Zelda nodded.

''Then you understand that you'll be put in front of the council for trial,'' she said and Braun shook the bars, which only antagonised the monster in the cage beside him. He jumped to the side as the monster began clawing through the side, trying to reach him to attack. ''That was just stupid, wasn't it?''

''Get me out of here,'' Braun said as he reached through the bars in her direction, pleading as he got on his knees. ''I don't know what I did.''

Link looked him in the eye. ''You directly disobeyed an order from the queen, passing on a message to me that affected her safety. You took advantage of the fact she trusted you while under stress.''

''Yes, okay, I was stupid. I'm a jealous man and wanted her to myself. How is that treason or perjury?'' Braun asked and Zelda folded her arms.

''You tried to remove the entirely of my security. The guard isn't ready to take on that responsibility. You know that,'' Zelda said and Braun sighed. He stepped back and rested his head against the stone wall at the back of his cell.

''That's not what I was thinking about, Princess.''

''Queen,'' Link corrected and Braun sighed.

''Your Majesty, I apologise. That is not what I was thinking about. I was thinking about wanting to be the only man around you so there was less competition,'' Braun explained. ''I don't think it is worth a criminal record. I accept if you don't want me in your castle anymore. I understand. But please don't ruin my life because I'm a jealous fool.'' Link wasn't sold but he could see Zelda's forgiving nature. He wanted him to pay the full price for his crimes but Zelda had already made up her mind before Braun had started begging.

The queen looked at her knight and said the words Link really wished she wouldn't. ''I can't see the council passing judgement for a high crime. He is just an idiot.''

''If you insist, your majesty,'' he said and Zelda nodded. ''Exile?''

Zelda smiled and shook her head, leaning in to kiss him again. He hadn't expected the long, slow and passionate kiss but the look on Braun's face was priceless. Link may have considered taking it further if it wouldn't have ruined the queen's reputation. ''No. What he did brought us back together. We wouldn't have started dating again if it wasn't for the misunderstanding he caused.''

She may have been forgiving but it didn't mean she wasn't cruel. Braun had his hands on the bars again, staring in disbelief as it looked like his entire world had shattered. ''B-b-but-''

Zelda took Link's keys and began to unlock the door. Braun was too stunned to do anything. ''I suppose your freedom is our thank you. But not before you stand in front of the council today and resign, explaining why you are leaving and what you have done.''

Braun still couldn't talk as Link bound his hands behind his back, leading him up the stairs and into the meeting room. Representatives of each country and their leaders sat confused as the man was held in front of them, Zelda walking around to take her seat. ''Braun has some words he'd like to say before we get started.''

Braun was still trying to gather his thoughts. ''They were kissing,'' he blabbered out and the council turned to face the queen.

''That was going to be the second agenda item today but I suppose it can be first,'' Zelda said, feeling slightly awkward and embarrassed. She was planning on speaking about it with a little more tact but that idea had gone out the window. ''Link and I have reconciled after a split a week or so ago which was entirely my fault. I was under too much stress and needed to concentrate, so I pushed him away. Now that I'm feeling much better, we are dating once again. This means there will have to be some changes but we're not rushing into anything so there's plenty of time to organise things. Now, can we please get back to what you were going to tell the council?''

Braun could see the members turn back to him again. ''I hereby resign.'' He didn't say anything more so Link pulled on the rope, making it more uncomfortable. The man groaned and spoke up. ''Because I took advantage of the queen and lied to her knight, and did other stupid things so I could have the princess to myself. I put her safety at risk during the process and am extremely sorry. This really isn't necessary.''

''Thank you, Braun. Now, escort him out of the castle. You can leave the ropes on so he learns not to cross me again,'' Zelda said as she began to open her notebook, looking at the pages as Link took the man out.

Link took him about an hour out, pushing him over as he dusted off his hands. ''You are lucky it wasn't me deciding your fate.''

Braun still looked confused and overwhelmed. ''Please untie me.''

Link began to walk back as Braun began to try and stand without the use of his hands. He returned the council as Zelda waited aside, a smile on her face as she could see he was annoyed the man wasn't better dealt with. ''He's gone.''

Zelda kissed him again, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. ''He did do us a favour. We would have both been too stubborn to say anything if we didn't think you'd be gone by today.''

Link rolled his eyes. ''One day, that attitude will get you killed.''

''You claim a lot of things will get me killed but I'm still here. You haven't let any of them hurt me yet,'' she said, a grin still on her cheeks. ''I am considering killing Purah though. I'm still getting asked if I'm pregnant. Particularly with our announcement to the council. I had to assure them I'm not with my hand on the goddess statue for them to believe me.''

Link moved her arms and held her hands instead. He didn't blame them; there was enough information to suggest it was entirely possible floating around. ''I think I nearly passed out. You would have stepped out of your room to my guards freaking out because I was on the floor,'' Link replied.

''I was ready to catch,'' Grax said, Link jumping again as he cursed his assassin. ''You hate that I can sneak up on you, don't you?''

''Like you have no idea,'' Link replied as he turned around.

''Well, sorry to interrupt such a cute moment between you two but there's a monster loose in the basement. It finally broke out of the cell. Would you like me to take it somewhere in particular, your majesty?''

Zelda nodded, walking alongside Grax in the direction of the stairs. Link followed behind, smiling as he listened to her talk enthusiastically about more research to be done. It was really when she was at her most beautiful, a twinkle in her eyes as her thoughts ran off her tongue faster than anyone could process them. ''Has anyone checked if there's a spare cage? I want to take it to the research lab but that's in pieces and it will destroy the library. If we can cage it, maybe we can move it into my father's old study where Purah and Symin can start some tests for me. Are Robbie and Jerrin still around? They could help too. I know they have much further to go and...''

An epilogue for those that requested it. I couldn't help but write about Braun getting what he deserved.

There is indeed going to be a sequel. In fact, the first chapter is already available. Updates will be less frequent but in exchange, longer chapters. Follow me and check out the first chapter of The King's Men; I hope to see you there!