Chapter Two Difficult Times
When Zelda awoke later, feeling warm and comforted by her husband's body; she was ashamed at her outburst. She knew that she had been unreasonable to him by her words and actions but sometimes she was overwhelmed by anger and grief. She was even feeling to her horror; jealousy that her friends now had started their family with a healthy child. Link was still asleep but he was rousing as he felt her distress and tightened his grip on her as he started to awaken. As he sat up behind her she turned to see him smile reassuringly at her.
"Whatever you are thinking of my love, you are entitled to feel angry and bitter. Just don't let it consume you without speaking to me about it." Link whispered; he had picked up on her thoughts and feelings, it wasn't too hard, they echoed his own too well.
"Oh Link, I feel so horrible in myself. I am not a nice person at all; when I see their baby, all I see is our loss and their gain. It's wicked."
"Hush Zelda; you are not wicked, silly girl; just bereaved, these feelings will pass." He was stroking her hair in an effort to bring herr turmoil under control. Zelda calmed slightly and smiled at him.
"When did you gain my Triforce piece Link? When did you become so wise?" Link looked away and rubbed at his nose before he answered.
"I didn't, it's what your father said to me when he heard me ranting to myself. I thought I was on my own in the room and I hadn't noticed him sitting in the large chair near the fire. I wasn't very sensible in what I said either...Come on Zel, get up and we will take our tea outside. I'll hook up Epona and we'll take a picnic by Lake Hylia; get some fresh air, change of scenery and go for a swim. Whaddya say?"
With that he leapt off the bed and reached his hand out to assist Zelda who jumped up eagerly. After letting Impa know that they would be out and collecting some food from the kitchens, they were soon off and heading towards Hylia. The late afternoon and early evening were always at their most beautiful at the lake plus the day had been warm and the heat was still pleasant as the young couple enjoyed their picnic and swim.
They had been joined early on by several Zora who also were enjoying the evening conditions of the Lake but they left later knowing that the land dwellers would wish for privacy and that there were other places that the Zora could go, that were inaccessible to the Prince and Princess of Hyrule. Link and Zelda watched the sun set completely in warm silence and snuggled together.
Their caresses became more intimate and heated until they once again became united in their passion, sheltered from the evening breezes by Epona who was by now, well used to being a living barrier for them. Zelda usually loved the way that Link made her body feel, they had grown together, learning about how to please each other and knowing that each had been the other's first. They normally had no inhibitions between themselves (their only constraint being that of common decency), although recently things had changed.
She was hoping that she could make it so that he would be so aroused and consumed by his pleasure that he would forget himself and stay within her as he peaked, but it was not to be. Link made sure that she was satisfied first, but he curtailed his own desire; withdrawing and compromised by holding her tightly, as his body slowly returned to normal. Zelda looked down her body at her sleepy mate's head and bit her lip in frustration. Link was nothing if not determined, in everything he did; including keeping her from her heart's desire.
"I'm sorry." He whispered against her breast; "But now is not the right time, trust me; we must wait a bit longer." Link knew that he had disappointed his wife and that was something no man ever wished to do, it cut him through to his depths. The Hero may have been young and inexperienced but since his marriage he had joined the ranks of 'the men', all of whom had had advice and exploits of their own to boast of and he was unhappily aware that she was not being satisfied with their relationship more and more.
But there was nothing that could be done, he had promised the king and Impa not to go against the medical advice and his own prohibition of not telling her the reason, effectively hamstrung Link from explaining all of this to his wife. Feeling sadly that this wonderful day of new life was ending on a sour note, Link got up and pulled Zelda towards him in a loving hug before jumping them both in the cooling lake.
This served two purposes, one they needed to clean up and the other it should distract his wife as she yelled at him for trying to drown her. Both worked and they rode back to the castle laughing and giggling about silly, unimportant things and Link felt that perhaps another day had been salvaged. They both felt able to pop their head round the door to bid the new little family a fond goodnight before they vanished into their chambers for the night.
They made love once again before they curled up together and went to sleep, worn out by the long day; this time Zelda closed her mind off and did not let Link know of her unfulfilled feelings, she knew it would not change his mind. Nevertheless, she loved him dearly and decided there and then not to make things harder for him and except his judgement on this matter. There were only a few more months left to go before they would try again; her decision made she felt a lot lighter in her heart and fell into a peaceful sleep.
The next few weeks passed by in a busy fashion, any time that Link and Zelda had that was free of duties was spent in visits and spoiling the new baby and watching him grow into a friendly little boy. It did not take long before Jaron recognised their faces and would smile happily if he was in their arms, making the delightful sounds that babies make.
Jarden and Malon watched their friends closely while they were in their company; both understanding that the couple had mixed feelings, all the time that they were around another baby. They also knew why the royal pair were not yet trying for another child, all were sworn to Link's secrecy. Malon had in fact warned him not to keep Zelda in the dark and that it would help her to know; but her long time friend was adamant, Zelda should not have to bear the burden of any more self imposed guilt.
In another effort to divert Zelda, Link asked the king to host some of his daughter's friends from a neighbouring country. In the times when they were courting and sharing their memories with each other, Zelda told Link of when she had hidden in her mother's cousin's homelands. While Link slept in the Temple of Time, Sheik was sometimes hidden there as well and sometimes she would be the Princess, protected by another kingship. In case of Ganon hearing the rumours of her life, it was deemed appropriate for her to be known to be some where other than Hyrule.
Zelda had spoken of her cousins with affection and had not seen them in some long time, not to chat to anyway. There had not been much time for her as a bride on her wedding day to socialise with anyone for very long before Link and she made their escape. The invitation was sent and the reply, when recieved was favourable; the two princesses and their brother would be happy to come for a month to visit.
Preparations did not take long, the Palace was always in a state of readiness for visiting dignitaries and Link was brought up to date on the adventures and goings on of his princess whilst she was staying with her cousins. He felt a bit left out, truth be told; Zelda's face lit up as she described the games and parties, family excursions and the like that she had been able to participate in.
The sense of belonging that she described, had never been his. He had never really been part of the Kokiri and their fun, always on the outside of any play and he had slept away his teens under an enchanted spell. To be sure he had regained his memories of that time but none involved the sort of joyful episodes that Zelda had managed to glean. But however, he was pleased that she had had some periods of reprieve as a young girl amidst the darkness that was cast by Ganondorf, she'd had so much burden to carry during her youth.
Link had a mental picture of his guests to add to the vague recollections of the people he had been introduced to at his wedding. Two fun loving and pretty girls, not twins but very close in age who treated Zelda like the third one of their set; secure in the love of their parents and confident. Then there was the slightly older brother, very like his sisters in nature although a bit bossy and overprotective.
On the day the company was due to arrive, Link knew he could take longer on his morning ride as Zelda was determined to take a full bath, pedicure, manicure and would spend ages doing her hair and makeup. He did not understand all this need himself, as far as he was concerned; he preferred his wife more natural, but she did like to get all dressed up sometimes and he did not begrudge her. It meant that he would not be missed for longer and it was a lovely day so he thought he would take his time, go hunting perhaps and enjoy the morning.
He had caught a brace of rabbits and was on his way back with his bunch of flowers for his lady tied to his saddle when he saw the dust cloud in the distance. The party was arriving. Link decided to wait and greet his guests to escort them personally to the castle and he watched as the outriders approached and rode Epona to meet them.
He was not prepared for what happened next; a lone rider broke off from the main group and with a look of disdain on his face for the dusty peasant in his green tunic who dared to approach the royal party, he raised his riding whip and struck Link catching him across the side of his face.
Link was so surprised at the move that for once he didn't react in time to stop the second blow either, although he had turned his back to it. The mysterious rider curled his lip in disgust;
"Out of the way peasant, how dare you approach the royal coach, begone before I turn my sword to you."
"This is how you treat those without noble blood in your land? Without mercy or finding out if they have any petition of your masters?"
"I do not answer to the likes of you; now if you don't leave these presences immediately, I shall resort to my earlier threat." With that, the rider withdrew his sword and offered it up to Link's face where blood from his wound ran down. Link looked deeply at the man, but recognised that he was just a servant doing his job; however before he left he said;
"I will remember your face." Then Link whirled away not seeing the scorn on the man's face.