Chapter Ten Foolishness
Having left Zelda in the care of Impa, who looked concernedly at the girl's pale face and decided that she would be better lying down for an hour or so; Tarin wandered back to his chambers thoughtfully. He had received notice from his father that his sisters and himself should return home within the fortnight, as suitors for the two girls had made request to visit with them. Knocking on the doors of both his siblings, he requested that they come to his rooms to discuss the letter from their father.
When he had the attention of his sisters and had explained the objective behind their father's summons, the girls looked at one another a little apprehensively; both thinking of the warnings that Tima had said about husbands. Neither girl was looking forward yet, to being tied down to a husband; who would possibly not consider their freedoms as of any import. Their sudden reluctance in the face of true romance surprised their brother, after all it seemed to be the main topic of conversation between them usually.
When he commented on this, his sisters explained the conversation they had had with Tima; it had disturbed them, not just for themselves but for their cousin also. Tarin knew how cunning his groom was and put two and two together; this was the reason for Zelda's shocked pallor earlier, she too must have overheard the discussion. The prince cursed Tima in his mind as he felt sure that the man would have known that the other Princess was listening to him; not only that, but he had now frightened the two younger princesses and put silly ideas into their minds.
However a small and nasty part of him hoped that he could perhaps, use Zelda's dismay to his own advantage; he was no fool, he knew that Link and Zelda genuinely loved each other dearly; but Link was not here at the moment and it would serve the boy right for his perceived neglect of his wife, to have her pay some small attention elsewhere. For now though, his sisters needed reassurance.
"My dear girls, you should not put all your trust in Tima's words; you will be able to choose your husbands with wise guidance. Our father and myself will make sure that any who wed you will be suitable for you. We love you and would not wish you harm or to have your wings clipped in a loveless marriage. The two suitors who are awaiting you are also brothers; should they became your husbands, you would still be close to each other in your married lives. But be assured; you will not be forced into wedlock with any that you do not choose.
This reassurance cheered the girls up greatly. They knew their father and brother loved them and would not use them for political gain and thus became much happier in their minds. They regained their optimistic dispositions immediately and began speculating on what the two brothers were like, leaving Tarin to ponder on his growing need to be near to Zelda.
Since they had been together much more recently, his feelings had grown; awakened from the dormancy they had been in since he had known the child and young teen. She had always been a favourite when she had stayed with them; but now he recognised that he did indeed have romantic feelings for her. More than romantic; he knew that he lusted after her and even more so when he found himself resenting the fact that Link, who was an absolute nobody as far as he was concerned, could have her beauty all to himself.
Tarin was no fool and he was not a blackguard normally; he knew he should quash these inappropriate thoughts; but they would not stop and he had nothing else to occupy himself for the moment and so instead of taking his mind off Zelda, he allowed his imagination free rein. It was not as if anything could come of it anyway; the only person he was really hurting, was himself by his indulging in his impure thoughts about his cousin.
Meanwhile Zelda had awoken from her nap but not from the nightmarish words that still echoed around her brain. Is that really all she meant to Link? Some convenient, comfortable space to spend his lust; with no more meaning than a whore whom he had married for decency's sake and for whom he just happened to have some tender feelings. It was frustration and anger that was making her think this; not her reason which would have instantly dismissed her irrational thoughts, unfortunately her reason was not at the forefront at the moment.
When she heard that her cousins were required to leave fairly soon, perhaps within the next three or four days; she felt strange and somewhat lonely. It was ironic really, their presence she felt was holding her back now; stopping her from being more with Link and yet she had found great delight in having them around. She was not so lonely having the girls to talk with, especially as Malon was so often occupied with her baby and she had always got on well with Tarin. She supposed that the parties and picnics would stop or at least not be quite so much fun without them.
However she knew too, that duty could not be avoided for any in positions of authority and that her cousins would have to leave. That meant that a good deal of time would be spent in packing and getting ready to leave; the thought made her feel a little depressed and she wondered how to cheer herself up. Everyone seemed to be deserting her and she was unsure of where all this self pity was coming from; only knowing that it wouldn't go away and was making her angry.
Zelda thought it might be better to channel her aggression into something more positive; the energy she felt crackling around her made her want to throw things around and she felt she was too old to have temper tantrums. Tima's words had hurt her deeply and she really needed Link home to reassure her, but the earliest that he could now be expected was sometime tomorrow. Her bad temper did not subside at the thought, until she had the idea of throwing her own party.
No sooner had the thought passed through her mind than it was acted upon. It would have to be fairly small as it was impromptu and there was no time to invite any but the most local of the nobles for the afternoon, but she didn't mind; all Zelda wanted, was something to distract her. So she sent out couriers to her friends asking them to come for an informal party; her mindset improved and enlisting the help of her cousins and servants, she got the ball room set up in record time.
The King would not be attending as it was informal and really Zelda's party; he had plenty of other things to do and would not be missed at what was essentially a young peoples gathering and where the orchestra would probably play the music too loud and not to his taste. All the afternoon was taken up with the preparations; with guests just turning up and being roped in to help with food and drink and setting up the music.
This was very exciting and different, most functions that any of these youngsters attended were very formal affairs; planned for months in advance. But like the picnics and fetes that Link and Zelda had instituted; this idea was very popular. The excitement mounted quickly as the spontenaity itself, was exciting; the Palace was buzzing with young nobles rushing here and there and into places that they often didn't see for themselves, like the kitchens as they sorted out what foods should be prepared. There were many giggles as young men and women accidentely 'bumped' into each other in the melee of figures to be found around every corner.
Impa was not sure of the wisdom in letting so many adolescents run around with no proper chaperoning; but then most of them were in full view of everyone else, as they busied themselves to get things ready in time. 'At least Zelda was having fun' she thought, as she glanced fondly on her girl; it was a marked improvement on her scowling face of earlier. Unfortunately, seeing Zelda happy gave Impa a false sense of security; Zelda was happy until she stopped; when all she could think of then, was that Link would have enjoyed helping with all of this and she began to feel alone again.
Once again, the hubbub died down for a while; as the youngsters all vanished into various rooms to get changed for the evening and then it started up again as they all reappeared, to go down to the ballroom. There were many gasps of delight at the sight that awaited them. The orchestra had set up and was already making music and the food was ready, up at one end of the huge room. At the end where the music and food was, the chandeliers were lit and shone in all their crystal beauty; but the rest of the ballroom was more subdued with just lanterns and candles giving off atmospheric pools of colour and light.
There was a mad rush for the food, as the days events had worked up lots of hungry appetites; but the men did not forget their manners and allowed the girls to go first or got two plates of food for themselves and their partner, if they had one. The food too was much less formal; more in the style of a buffet, where the food would be taken away and eaten somewhere of the diner's choosing. As it was such a lovely evening following the hot day, the windows of the ballroom were opened along one side and so the party could spill out into the gardens.
Tarin brought out a glass of chilled wine for Zelda and himself. He had partnered her several times during the evening for the dancing and had made sure she was not neglected in anyway, trying to get her to eat even though she claimed that she was not hungry. He was courteous and gentle; full of humour and kept her entertained when he noticed that her face gained a look of longing. By the end of several dances, Zelda was hot and flustered but to Tarin's eyes she looked extremely beautiful.
However the combination of dancing, heat and chilled wine was not a good mix and many of the youngsters had slowed down and were just talking or walking around being giggly and silly. The servants who had kept a very low profile, were still on hand to help any back to the ballroom or to seats where needed. Everyone seemed very happy and there was no really bad behaviour, as Impa and various others 'popped' in at odd times to see if everything was alright.
All in all, the party was considered a great success; although for Zelda she felt more and more melancholy. The alcohol was beginning to affect her miserably; the hateful way that Tima had represented her marriage, kept surfacing in her mind; especially as she found herself less inhibited and desiring his presence. Her body felt like it was on fire and she wanted to spend the night locked in her husband's arms, not all alone in her bed.
She couldn't even feel a vestige of him in their link at the moment; it seemed that he was so far away, almost as if he didn't care. A small sob left her throat; followed by more tears and by the time that Tarin found her, she was actually crying. The Prince was alarmed;
"Zelda, what ails you? The party is a great success, so is it that you are feeling unwell? Can I call Impa for you?"
"No. Thank you Tarin; I'm just being foolish."
"It is not foolish to be unhappy Zelda; come, tell me your problem. A trouble shared is a trouble halved as they say." The Prince took Zelda by the shoulders in an attempt to get her to look at him. It didn't work; but what happened was, that Zelda found herself crying against his chest with his strong arms firmly around her.
"I feel lonely Tarin, you are all leaving soon and I will really miss you; it's been good fun having you around again, besides, Link is not here and I want...it doesn't matter...I need..." She looked up at him longingly and he leaned down and kissed her lips; knowing it was wrong. Zelda was obviously inebriated and he recognised that; but she tasted sweet and didn't immediately push him away. Instead she blushed prettily and fainted.
The party had all but concluded anyhow; when Tarin crept out with the passed out Princess in his arms and carried her to her rooms. At this hour, they passed nobody on the stairs and none of Zelda's ladies were around, as he lay the girl down on her bed. He knew that he should leave, but his thoughts of earlier were beginning to plague him and he approached the bedside. Zelda had come around again and had started to giggle; putting her face up to be kissed again.
"Zelda, do not do this please."
"I just want a kiss goodnight Tarin; please." He was lost and leant over her and kissed her allowing the kiss to grow in passion; Zelda moaned into the kiss and soon, he was kissing her neck and then her exposed breasts; that had been uncovered from the flimsy party gown, by Tarin's hands. Zelda was in a daze and by now almost incoherent from the wine and fatigue; all she was really aware of was, that his touch felt good and that she needed to be touched. By now Tarin had torn the dress trying to get it from Zelda's body and his hands had reached other, forbidden to him; places.
They were both panting heavily and Tarin brought Zelda to her body's release by touch alone before she passed out again. Thankfully his inert sense of honour kicked in and although the slight taste of Zelda's delights would not go away, he had the decency not to rape her as she slept. In fact the idea appalled him. He would await the next time that she wished to be alone with him and when she was not under the influence of alcohol. So he covered her with her sheet and crept out of her chamber as Malon came in to see if Zelda wished for help.