Confinement and Compromise

As they walked down the cold, stone corridors, the advisor's voice was low and soothing, but with a hint of warning. "Your Highness, I must prepare you for what you're about to see. Link is...secure, but I want to caution you that it's not a pleasant sight. You've made it clear that you want him to be comfortable, and we've done our best to accommodate that request." Zelda's heart was racing, and she felt a flutter in her chest. She had been dreading this moment, but she knew she had to see Link for herself. The advisor's words were cryptic, but she tried to trust that they had done what she asked. As they approached the dungeon door, the advisor continued, "You see, with the...loss, and the subsequent need to confine anyone whose name starts with the letter L, our staff has had to get...creative. We've had to modify some of our standard procedures to ensure Link's comfort and safety, while still meeting the necessary security requirements." The dungeon door creaked open, and Zelda's eyes adjusted to the dim light within. The air was musty and dank, and the smell of mold and mildew filled her nostrils. The advisor gestured for her to follow, and they walked deeper into the dungeon. "Link is secured in seven different ways, Your Highness," the advisor explained, her voice matter-of-fact. "First, his wrists are bound with soft, padded cuffs made of a specialized material that's designed to prevent chafing and discomfort. These cuffs are attached to the wall with sturdy chains that have been wrapped in a thick, rubber coating to prevent noise and vibration." As they approached Link's cell, Zelda saw that his wrists were indeed bound, but they looked comfortable, and not too tight. The advisor continued, "Second, his ankles are secured with a modified version of our standard issue restraints. These have been adapted with extra padding and a softer locking mechanism to prevent discomfort and circulation problems." Zelda's eyes followed the advisor's words, and she saw that Link's ankles were bound in a similar way to his wrists. She felt a pang of sadness and guilt, knowing that this was all because of her. The advisor continued, "Third, a gentle sedative has been administered to help him relax. However, we've reduced the dosage to ensure that he's not too disoriented or uncomfortable. Fourth, a specially designed harness has been fitted around his torso, providing additional support and stability." Zelda's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the harness, which looked like a cross between a straitjacket and a medical device. The advisor explained, "This harness has been modified to include extra padding and a more flexible material to prevent chafing and discomfort. Fifth, a soft, foam gag has been placed in his mouth to prevent him from speaking or making too much noise. However, we've made sure that it's not too restrictive, so he can still breathe comfortably and move his jaw slightly." The advisor paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, "Sixth, his cell has been modified to include a specially designed bed, with extra pillows and a thick, plush blanket to keep him warm and comfortable. And seventh, we've installed a state-of-the-art monitoring system to ensure his vital signs remain stable and within normal ranges." As the advisor finished speaking, Zelda's eyes landed on Link, who was indeed lying on the bed, looking a bit restless but seemingly comfortable. She felt a surge of relief, mixed with guilt and sadness. He looked...okay, considering the circumstances. The advisor placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, "As you can see, Your Highness, we've done everything we can to make Link's confinement as comfortable and safe as possible, while still meeting the necessary security requirements. We've compromised on several of our standard procedures to accommodate your requests, and we believe that Link is receiving the best possible care under the circumstances." Zelda took a deep breath, trying to process what she was seeing. Link's eyes met hers, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. She could see the tension in his body, the desire to be free, but he seemed...calm, considering. The advisor's words echoed in her mind, and she knew that she had to trust that they had done what was best for Link, and for the kingdom.