Hidden Love
By: Smiling Cat
Chapter 3
That evening Triss didn't join his Queen at the Gardens to Wren's displeasure: she had to admit that she had always awaited those meetings in trepidation.
Back to the Palace she found instead Tiger Ty who had just arrived for their official meeting: the Wing Riders had chosen him as their representative among the elves, and that gave him the possibility to visit her frequently.
"So? How are you doing my girl?"
The elf asked without ceremony approaching her with his usual rolling gait
"Fine Tiger Ty"
She answered shaking his hand warmly
"I'm very happy to see you"
She seize him by the arm and led him inside.
"Are you hungry? Would you like something to freshen up?"
She asked with solicitude
"Don't worry, I have already made myself at home!"
They walked in a comfortable silence till the Queen's study, where they set down.
"Would you like some wine?"
Wren offered
"Sure! You should know by now that I never refuse a good drink!"
He took the pot she was handing him and drank noisily.
"AH! These are the pleasures of life! Speaking of which: I heard your cousinn is getting married…. Congratulations!"
Wren smiled happily
"Thanks! You know, I'm organizing the event with Padishar; and you're invited of course!"
"You really enjoy yourself playing matchmaker don't you?"
He laughed in amusement but she frawned
"Unfortunately I'm not the only one! The High Council is doing it as well!"
"What! You're telling me that they openly suggested you to get married?"
She nodded
"And who are the candidates for such a honourful task?"
How dare they? Wren is not an object to sell to the highest bidder!
"They didn't go that far, they only suggested me to look out and find a decent elf as soon as I can; after all I'm still the Queen, they can't order me. "
Tiger Ty laughed with relife
"I would have paid to be there when you put them back in to their place! What did Triss say about this?"
He asked with nonchalance and spied her reaction: he was rewarded with a deep blush
Wren began to study her hands carefully.
"What do you mean? He has nothing to do with this!"
Tiger Ty congratulated himself for finding her soft spot.
Seems like things berween them are changing… Perhaps he has finally made a move on her…. It was about time! Well done Triss….. by the way, I haven't seen him yet….. It's strange….. did they have a fight? I will better find out!
"Really?"
He grinned mischevously
"And tell me, where is he now? I haven't met him yet"
Wren blushed even a deeper shade of red.
"I don't know! And I don't care!"
She blurted out amazing him
"Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you…… it's just…. Well….."
Tiger Ty became serious
"Wren…. You know that you can talk with me of everything."
She finally looked him in the eyes and smiled sheepishly
"Thanks!"
She sipped her wine to gather some courage
"I don't understand what's going on myself: for all this time he has been my best friend, guardian, advisor….. All that I have ever needed…. But now….. A few days ago we had an argument and then we found ourself quarreling for the first time since we had known each-other. Since then there's always tension between us….. even if we did make it up."
She pouted and looked depressed.
"I think he's avoiding me…."
Tiger Ty smiled sympathetically.
"You should ask him."
"How can I do it if I don't know what's going on with me?"
"What's going on?"
He saw her confused face and changed question
"What do you feel?"
"Irritation….. Frustration!"
She spat out after some time.
"I can't stand to see him so self-controlled and humble, the distance he keeps between us because of our ranks. I don't give a damn about it but he always has to remind it…… sometimes he seems to care about me, sometimes he treats me as a duty to attend to.
When he's not with me I miss him and when we're toghether he ends up getting on my nervs….. I don't understand!"
"So…. You'd like for him to look at you in a different way….. as a woman!"
She looked startled at him and nodded; she had always refused to think about it.
"Do you know what this means? That you like him…. you probably love him!"
"N-No…… it can't be!"
"Why not?"
"I….."
Tiger Ty became serious: it was time someone shook her.
"You're afraid! You're scared to death of love….. perhaps you fear to lose him…… only you know why!"
"I have nothing against love!"
She spat back
"No sure, till it concerns someone else! I have never thought I'd see the day you would become a coward!"
Wren paled and looked at him angrily, but was force to avert her gaze: Tiger Ty was right!
"What do I do now?"
He grinned wildly
"You go for it! Try to accostum him to the idea little by little and then tell him; be gentle or you'll scare him off!"
He winked at her and she smiled amused
"Thank you Tiger Ty!"
"You're welcome! Now, let's get back to business"
I'll better stay around…. Wren will probably need me…. Besides things are getting interesting, it will be fun!