Chapter 19

How angry Leo was! If she were to destroy him, he would kill someone she loved before he went.

Of course! That Link… what a troublemaker… he had to go.

Link was in the throne room, fighting with the chancellor. Leo had just gotten back from his short trip. Cherry had gone upstairs to lay down for a bit. She was feeing quite exhausted from all of the day's excitement, and knew she could rest easy knowing her little sister was home safe.

Leo drew his sword and entered the throne room. Keeping his weapon hidden under his cloak, he approached Link. The chancellor was a mouthy old man. Link was patient, but still very argumentive.

"She was BORN into monarchy! It's rightfully hers! That seems pretty simple to me!"

The chancellor pushed his glasses up on his nose. "She is not to marry unless I approve of him. She ran away, which proves how horrible of a queen she will be for our kingdom. Whenever there is trouble, she runs. It's happened before. She's not strong… she's not going to be queen, ever. Her sister Cherry will make a fine queen, and Leo will make a good king."

"You just don't like it when Avalon stands up to your tyranny. You want someone you can easily break. I admit, the rightful queen is very spoiled, a bit of a brat, but I love her, and that doesn't matter. She treats her people fairly, and she has more than enough intelligence to run the kingdom. In fact, she's the most intelligent woman I've ever met… a bit naive but VERY smart nonetheless."

"That girl has never had a chance to run the kingdom. I do all the work, while she looks pretty, and I admit she does a fine job at that, but it won't make her kingdom prosperous."

Leo took his sword out from under his cloak and jabbed toward Link violently. Link sidestepped it easily, and drew his own.

"You are a sad fellow; to stab someone in the back? That is the sure sign a man feels beaten, when he tries to do the cowardice thing."

Leo snorted. "Your wench went to star hill, and is making a wish to have me destroyed. I want to take you with me."

Link swung his sword sharply, and hit Leo's sword. It dropped from his hands and fell silently. "You deserve to have your tongue cut out for what you said about my bride. She is a princess, not a wench. Withdraw your comment." Link paused, and breathed in, trying to calm his anger. "And as for you taking me with you, it won't happen. You will go alone, and burn in the fires of the hell you created for yourself."

Leo turned to find his sword, and he did… It was driven into the chancellor's chest. The chancellor lay in the middle of the floor, unmoving… "Damn you! You ruined everything! That old man was the only one who knew where the deeds to the kingdoms were!"

Link smirked. "I doubt that."

Leo was a bit confused, but shrugged it off. This jerk, how could he possibly know anything? Unless of course, his bride-to-be knew where they were. "So she knows, does she? Well she won't come back from her little trip. Some of the relics that ensure safe passage were counterfeit… I have the real ones hidden away."

Link dove at Leo's throat and choked him violently. "Then why are you so worried about her destroying you? You liar!"

Leo struggled, and finally pried the angry hylian's hands away. "She can get there and make the wish, but she won't come back alive. Maybe you should have read that stupid book before you started interfering!"

Link growled again, and stared at Leo. The two of them were now on the floor, each one glaring at the other. "Maybe you should take your own advice into account. You have a queen, why must you make Avalon miserable?"

Leo smirked slightly. "It's in my nature. It's the very reason I was born. I was born to get Bowser what he wants, and what he wants is Peach. He needed a clean slate, and here I am… Unfortunately I also failed at making her love me, so she must be destroyed."

Link sat up. "You know that's not what Bowser wants."

Leo started to laugh. "I am Bowser. I know what I want."

"You aren't Bowser, you're someone who wants to be so desperately that it's driven him insane."

"Perhaps I am insane, but I still will get my way, won't I? I will die but my koopa half will grow more powerful. You and Peach will die tonight. Bowser will get everything he wants. I will get everything I want. I will win." Leo had removed the sword form the Chancellor's body, and tossed it to Link as he stood.

He called out of the room. "Guards! The chancellor has been murdered! I saw it with my own eyes!"

At word of this, four toads ran in, wielding armor and spears. Link didn't fight. The toads grabbed him by his arms, and lead him down to the dungeon with no restraints. In truth, the toads really liked Link.

They knew that he didn't kill the chancellor, and even if he had, there must have been a good reason.

Link's cell was small and sterile. The walls were stone, a small cot in one corner with a pillow and a few blankets, and a window with bars across it. It looked like there was also a small bathroom through another doorway opposite the cot. A small desk was built from stone and out of the wall. Upon it, some paper, a pen, and a few other things to keep him entertained.

"You'll be free soon." One of the guards announced. "In the meantime, if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."

Link inspected the small room, the turned to the guard. "Actually, there is a favor I have of you. The deeds to the kingdom are in the princess's old room in a small box under her bed. Please move them back into the safe in the treasure room, and make sure Leo doesn't gain access there."

The toad nodded. "Anything for the future king…"

Link sat on the cot and waited patiently for his love to return and have him cleared of his convictions.