Chapter Text
It was finally happening. After nearly a decade of training and laboring in the service of the blunt and, seemingly, uncaring Sir Bogo, Jude Hopps was going to be knighted. The first rabbit knight in the history of the Kingdom of Zootopia, the history of the world even!
It had taken months of begging and following the massive water buffalo around to convince him, but in the end it had been worth it! The training, lessons, and wealth provided by being the squire of one of the best knights in the realm was far more than Jude would have received as the tenth born son of the numerous children his parents had.
And it aligned perfectly with his goal.
Jude would show the world that anyone can be anything, like the bard Gazelle had sung at the tavern back in Bunnyburrow. House Hopps would be the talk of the town, finally more than a family of landowners and produce merchants. He'd swear into the service of House Lionheart, the royal family, just like Sir Bogo, and would gain prestige and glory for House Hopps!
“A bunny? Sir Bogo, you can’t be serious! You expect King Leodore to swear a bunny into his service?” laughter echoed off the walls of the throne room at Steward McHorn’s words.
Jude, kneeling before the platform that held the thrones of the absent King and Queen, and the large rhino Steward, winced. Beside him knelt Sir Bogo, the massive water buffalo’s face set in his ever present frown and glower. Around them gathered the various mammals that made up the court of King Leodore, who had taken a surprise hunting trip with his wife earlier in the day.
Jude’s bunny ears allowed him to hear the snickers and comments of the court, who didn’t bother to hide their disbelief at his mentor’s request.
“Bad enough that he took the little bunny as his squire and knight him, but to raise his hopes like this?”
“Promising him a place in the King’s service? That’s cruel.”
“Poor little thing…”
Each comment made Jude fume internally. He wasn’t just some bunny! He’d trained for years to be the best fighter in the realms, traveled far and wide with his mentor to participate in melees! Jude had beaten mammals ten times his size in combat, without his mentor’s assistance!
But the rabbit held his tongue, feeling the glare of his mentor on his back. Warning him not to speak out of turn.
“I understand your concerns, Lord Steward, but Sir Hopps is a proven warrior. He is just and true. He would make a…good addition to the King’s retinue.” Sir Bogo grimaced as he spoke, and Jude could understand why.
The water buffalo didn’t like giving away praise needlessly, or like giving it at all. He was a firm believer in people doing their duty, and that showering them with praise for doing it was a waste of breath. Jude was a good knight, that all there was to it. The rabbit didn’t need anyone to tell him that, or explain to others that. His actions should speak louder than words.
But as the first rabbit knight, some words might be needed to make any traction in the world, much to the larger mammal’s distaste.
“So you say, Sir Bogo, and I’ve no reason to doubt your words. But the truth is that the King doesn’t need any more knights in his service. I’m sorry.” The Steward dismissed them with a wave.
Both the rabbit and the buffalo knew the rhino’s words were false, and that he just wanted a good excuse to get them out of the throne room, but said nothing. With the snickering and muffled comments of the court behind their backs, the two knights exited through the massive doors, backs straight and heads held proud.
Internally, however, Jude felt his heart break as his dreams were shattered and left behind in that throne room.
“I’m sorry, Hopps.” Was all Sir Bogo could say, standing awkwardly beside his former squire.
“N-no, it’s ok. You tried, and have my thanks for that.” Taking a deep breath, Jude willed the tears back and forced a smile.
“What will you do now?” Bogo placed a massive hoof on his sword, keeping his red gaze forward, avoiding Jude’s violet eyes.
“Well, guess I go home for now. Maybe travel the world.” Jude shrugged and played with the hilt of his own sword.
“I’ll try talking to King Leodore when he’s back from his trip. Maybe he’ll say differently than Steward McHorn. A deal is a deal.” Sir Bogo reached down and clasped the shoulder of his former squire, the small limb easily fitting in his hoof.
Jude could only smile, remembering the bet he’d made with his mentor years ago, when he’d first became a squire.
“Alright, listen up, Hopps. The day you can hold your own against me in combat, I’ll knight you.”
“I’ll do better than that! I’ll beat you, one day.”
“Keep dreaming, Hopps. That is the only place you will ever beat me.”
“Sir Bogo, I do believe that is a challenge! And challenges have consequences! When I beat you, you will have to do me a favor.”
“I’ll play along, Hopps. What would you ask of me?”
“Nothing much. Just convince the King to take me as a knight in his service.”
“…Fine.”
Eight years later, at 16, Jude would both hold his own and beat Sir Bogo in single combat. The water buffalo begrudgingly admitted that Jude was ready to be a knight, and that he’d honor the bargain they’d made all those years ago. Jude was knighted at small chapel in the country side, and as the worn wood dug into his aching knees, he’d never been happier.
Nodding, Jude clasped the hand of his former mentor, and smiled, “You will know where to find me. I’ll write to you when I arrive.”
“Good fortune, Hopps.” With that the larger mammal turned to walk back to the palace, to try and gather support at court.
Jude watched his mentor walk for several moments, before taking a deep breath and taking the first step on the long journey home. His heart heavy, but filled with hope that his former mentor would succeed…