The Legend of a Saracen Princess

Chapter 10: It Belongs to You

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"Where is she!?" an enraged prince bellowed as he stormed into the Grand Throne Room the next morning.

Haissam flinched from his spot on the King's throne before glancing at Samir, more out of envy for his position than anything else. A pair of irate eyes were trained on the new King of Palestine with a snarl developing at the Prince of Persia's lips, expecting an explanation for his missing bride.

"What do you want, Am'an?" Haissam asked, assuming his formal airs, as he turned back to face Am'an.

"You have no right to address me so informally! You are a fighter for the army that will soon be under my command!"

"But you are wrong. Shoofi," Haissam reached into his pants pocket, pulling out the decree that announced Safiya's resignation and Haissam's immediate promotion, "I've been given rule over Palestine by Safiya, our late princess." He handed the parchment with Safiya's signature to Am'an, who snatched it out of the new king's hands and quickly scanned the details of the document that now changed the lives of everyone in the room.

"Why has she done this? Where has she gone?" Am'an's hands tightened around the decree, his rage only being kept in check by the satisfying sound of crinkling parchment.

Haissam braced himself. He'd never had to lie so blatantly before. But if it was for the good of Palestine, Haissam was willing to do anything.

"She has eloped to England. With that Englishman. It seems that he has wooed her in order to save his own life and is using her as a shield to get out of our lands."

As Haissam finished, he watched Am'an's eyebrows furrow in thought, his chin dipping down as he took in the new information.

"So you are saying this Englishman has hypnotized my bride? Forced her to leave behind her country to chase some man who does not love her?"

Haissam nodded, pursing his lips in an attempt to keep his face straight. How fickle that made Safiya sound, when everyone else in the palace knew that Safiya would never let simple wooing affect her. She was stronger than that. It was a good thing Am'an had no clue. "That is why we need your assistance in this war; these Englishmen are casting this evil spell and tainting our land with their presence. Will you aid us?"

"Why should I?" Am'an said, finally looking up at Haissam.

"Because they took everything involving your future: land, a wife, and ownership of two kingdoms. A great insult to you alone, Prince Am'an."

"You have insight, fighter," Am'an said, the words hitting a sore spot somewhere deep within him. "Alright, consider me an ally. I will not rest until every Englishman on our soil is dead, mark my words. I will. Have my revenge!" Am'an said, his voice reaching a deep crescendo that echoed throughout the room before he turned and stormed out of the room, leaving it in a deafening silence.

"I think that went well, Haissam, congratulations," Samir said finally, laughter coating his voice.

Haissam turned to him, slightly confused. "Did Am'an really believe that terrible lie?"

"Yes, and you should feel lucky that Safiya was about to marry a stupid prince and not a smart one. Or else convincing him would have taken more than just a little lie."

"You're right, Samir," Haissam said, a victorious grin spreading across his features, filling every light and shadow of his face. "It would have actually required some thought."

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"So that's how it happened, then?"

Djaq nodded, smiling at the little girl before her. Marian's bright blue eyes stared at her in wonder, albeit a little glazed from the fever that caused her to be bedridden. Marian had asked Djaq to watch after her at Locksley Manor while she and Robin attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Sheriff of Nottingham.

"And where is she now? This Saracen Princess."

"In England. With the man she loves."

"But... where in England! I want to meet her! She was in Father's gang during Prince John's rule, right? Did you know her?"

Djaq laughed, "You should be sleeping, your fever won't go down if you don't. And you know how your mother gets when you don't recover as soon as you should."

"Djaq?" she whirled around in her seat by the child's bed to face Will, who peaked inside the bedroom from around the door frame.

"Yes, Will?"

"They've returned."

"Who is she?" the girl insisted.

"Are you telling that story again?"

"Anna asked to hear it. She wouldn't sleep until I did."

"But I want to know where the Saracen Princess is!" Anna leaned against the head board of her bed, her arms crossed in a classic pout.

"She learned that from Robin," Will laughed.

"Who was she?"

"Will you sleep if I tell you?" Djaq asked, giving in. Anna nodded, her curious blue eyes widening as she leaned forward in anticipation.

"Me." Djaq felt two strong hands rest on her shoulders as she tucked the sick daughter of Robin and Marian Hood in her bed at Locksley Manor.

"You!?" she asked, staring up at her in wonder, too shocked to struggle against the woman's attentive actions before her.

"Do you see another Saracen woman married to an Englishman?"

"No, but--"

"Sleep, Anna, I must go. Don't forget to take the herb mixture I set on the table for you."

"I won't, but--"

"Good-bye, Anna," Djaq said as she closed the door behind her and Will.

"Why does she insist on hearing that story?"

"I don't know, but I like the way it ends."

Will wrapped his arm around her, leaning down to kiss her cheek as the left Locksley Manor.

"Me too."

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Translations:
Shoofi-- Look (at this).

Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed the story. Sorry it took so long to get the last one out. I have no excuse. Really, I don't. Anyway, thanks so much for reading. Constructive criticism is much appreciated.