The Broad Room was ornamented like Feast Day. The long table was spread with sparkling black fabrics and loaded with all bounties of food. Link made straight for the burr-berry tarts, a favorite of his harkening back to holidays at Saria's in the heart of the Kokiri Forest. Leal, the eldest princess, was pouring tea for her younger siblings, Kais and Mirla, who were stuffing every cookie they could reach into their greedy little mouths. Kais, scarcely three, had chocolate smudged into her dark brown hair. Link made no move to stop the brigade of princesses. Let them enjoy their childhoods while they had the luxury. When he was Leal's age, he was just beginning his life as a warrior. Link watched Leal's attempts to curb her sisters' voraciousness and was saddened. When did she become so burdened with adulthood?
A sweep of pink fabric interrupted his reverie as the queen, fat with the First Prince, entered. Link had been married to Zelda for ten years today, and yet she had been so busy being pregnant, he hardly felt he knew her. Link had some faint rememberance of a deeper feeling for her, maybe it had even been love, but it felt gone now. His wife was pretty, she was Queen, and he loved his children dearly. That, he thought, ought to be good enough for any husband. Already Zelda was herding the princesses away from the cookies.
"Father, I dreamt I was riding a horse, a fine tan horse like your old Epona!" chimed Mirla. Link hardly responded but listened intently. It was not in his character to react or speak much, though most things that came from the girls' mouths made him happy. They sat now for the Ten Years Meal, a small traditional anniversary celebration shared among close family members, but Link and Zelda spoke little.
"Sire, Majesty, the town has been planning a small celebration in honor of this day," said the castle warder, Faryl, entering the room and invading their meal. They are having a small carnival and parade and have asked the castle if it would be possible for the two fo you to make an appearance. After all, you are loved dearly by the people, and they would share this day with you." "And we love them, Lord Faryl, and will come down directly after our meal, with the children if they wish," Zelda quickly answered. Link looked at her with irritation. As soon as Lord Faryl excused himself, Link hissed under his breath, "And walk announced into the city streets to greet any arrow or bomb that might be sent our way, and in front of the girls, and with you in your condition?" "Link. Stop. It. We have lived in long peace all these years since my youth, and no suspicion is needed of the townsfolk. They want to hail their King and Queen, and I would not deny it them." Her tone of voice clearly signalled the end fo the discussion, but the girls had caught scent of the tension. The rest of the meal was held in silence. But Link could not dismiss the cold feeling of dread winding its way around his heart.
