A Forbidden Act

Part 2 - Hold My Hand

After talking a little but mostly sitting in silence, Sharon and Tarja finally went to bed, with only one word, goodnight. For some reason Sharon had enjoyed the evening, although the brunette hadn't been very social. She had spent most of the time looking at Tarja's features. She was surprised as she realised that, if she closed her eyes, she could see every little detail of the young woman's face. It didn't often happen, in fact it had never happened before. She thought for a moment. She wanted to draw her. She had never been very good at drawing, but this time she could picture it so well, maybe... With a surge of inspiration, she hurried and took an old bit of paper from her desk drawer. She took some piece of chalk, and sat down. She lit a candle and started drawing. Slowly, with each curve, Tarja's face was created. Each detail was carefully placed, from each strand of hair to the highlits in the eyes. About half an hour later, she was finished. The brunette held the drawing just under the flickering candle light. It looked exactly ilke Tarja. Sharon smiled and lay the piece of paper on the desk.

Sharon got changed into her nightgown, having a little difficulties with the unlacing of her corset, but she managed. She carefully placed her dress on her chair, and slid herself under her cold covers. She immediately closed her eyes, tired as she was. But she couldn't sleep. Her mind wandered to Tarja again. Stop it! Sharon told herself. But there was nothing to it. She just kept thinking about the woman she had just met. She thought about her parents' attitude towards her, and thought about her own attitude towards Sharon. Pondering on whether she should go to her the next day, Sharon finally fell asleep.

The next day, she was woken by her chambersmaid, as usual.

"Milday?" she heard the voice through the door. "Myes, what is it?" Sharon mumbled, barely audible.

Sophie opened the door.

"Milday, it is time for you to get up." The brunette groaned and slowly sat up.

She opened her eyes widly and rubbed them then cleared her throat.

"Sophie, today's schedule?" Sharon asked as she got up and prepared herself.

She took her underwear in the wardrobe and went behind the folding screen.

"I believe your father has organised a lunch outdoors, milday. With the Turunens."

At the mention of the name, Sharon's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't know why. It frightened her. She swallowed and cleared her throat once more.

"Then?"

There was a silence as Sophie tried remembering the events.

"A ride in the woods, milady. With the Turunens, again."

Sharon's breathing quickened as she imagined the ride in the woods. Why? She didn't understand.

"Tell me, Sophie, do you know how long Tar- I mean, the Turunens are staying?"

Sophie sighed.

"I don't know, milday."

Sharon could hear the smile of complicity in her voice, and she frowned.

"Why are you lying, Sophie?" She chuckled as she knew Sophie would turn red from embarassment.

"Milady, I am no-" She started.

"Oh, I'm only joking, Sophie."

She wasn't really, but she didn't want to make her feel uneasy. She finished putting on her underwear and long skirt.

"Here, can you help me with the corset?"

Sophie nodded, still feeling guilty.

Later in the day, Sharon was playing the violin in the gardens, her long black hair blowing in the wind. Both of her arms were high up, and her fingers delicately doing their work on the fragile strings. It made a melodic sound, almost nostalgic. She finished on one long note, and opened her eyes. That's when she noticed Tarja, sat on a bench, watching her. Sharon carefully put her violin away, took the case and went to see Tarja. She sat next to her and put her case on her lap. Again, no one said a word, and there was utter silence, except for the singing of birds and rushing of water. They stayed like that for about ten minutes, which wasn't much, when Sharon's father came to get them.

"We're leaving for lunch. Are you ready?" He looked at Sharon's dress. "Sharon, didn't Sophie tell you? We're going to ride..." He sighed.

"Oh I know, I've got something underneath." Sharon answered, smiling.

Soon they were all on horseback, Sharon riding her black mare, Xandria. The Turunens had borrowed horses from the den Adels, but apparently Tarja had been forced to ride a smaller horse, a grumpy one, that really wasn't kind. Sharon felt sorry for her but Tarja didn't make any comment about it. Sophie also came, as she was to serve all of the nobles at lunch. She was supposed to walk, but Sharon had given her a horse.

When they finally arrived to destination, Sharon got down from her horse gracefully and gave the reins to Sophie, who tied all the horses up. She went to her father, quickly eyeing Tarja. She seemed to have trouble getting off her horse so Sharon went to her and gave her her hand. As Tarja took hold of it, Sharon felt a shiver run down her spine. She tried to keep the same emotion but apparently wasn't very good at it as Tarja looked deep in her eyes with an expression of wonder. Tarja slowly got down on her horse, but Sharon didn't let go. She didn't want to let go of that hand, she wanted to feel its smooth skin and delicate fingers forever. It was the first time she had ever felt something like this.

"Sharon..." Tarja groaned.

Unconsciously, Sharon had tightened her grip. She instantly let go, eyes wde.

"I - I'm sorry, I didn't realise-"

"Sharon, my dear, come with us!" Jan called from further away.

The brunette flicked her eyes towards Tarja, embarassed, and walked away, leaving Tarja alone with a sense of guilt.

"Yes, father?" she asked as she appproached the man.

He got closer to her and spoke quietly.

"I've seen you talk or stay with Tarja, but I haven't seen you with Timo. Or Toni. Don't you want to meet them?"

Sharon frowned.

"Father, I know their names, and their ranking, do I need to know more?" she simply asked.

Jan sighed.

"Very well, if you do not wish to speak to them, I won't force you. But it's for your sake." He walked away to talk to Teuvo and Marjatta.

About an hour later, they had all eaten, served by a delighted Sophie. Sharon had sat away from Tarja, still embarassed from her earlier actions. Sharon looked at her father and saw him whispering to Timo, who nodded and stodd up. He came towards Sharon.

"Milday."

He held out his hand to help her get up but she stood up without his hand, knowing something was going on. He retrieved his hand, seeming a little offended.

"May I speak with you, Milady?" Sharon frowned.

"If you consider it necessary."

Timo walked away, followed by Sharon. She didn't know where he was leading her, and she kept a sharp eye out. Soon they were in the middle of a clearing, and Sharon looked around. When she looked back at Timo, he was knelt down in front of her.

"What are you-"

"Sharon den Adel, daughter of Jan den Adel and Anika den Adel... Will you be my wife?"