Chapter 1
The proposal
We considered our homeland to be a place, and only lost ourselves whilst trying to find it.
An echo filled the room as the beating of drums forced her to awaken. It was bright, the sun relentlessly hitting Laila's eyes as she reached to shield her face.
She warily stood. Such commotion was usually reserved to signal an attack. Surely any conflicts would have been avoided after the surrender to their conditions?
Unless they had rejected it?
Laila raced towards the window, carefully searching for any sign of danger. Yet, where the eyes expected bloodshed, they were met with celebration.
Her people stood to the corners of the streets, making way for a fleet of horses with men in black clothing riding them. Their faces were masked, swords hanging from their sides.
Mesmerising as they rode, the beat of the drums framing their fluent movements.
Warriors, they were called. Conquerors of many tribes; an enemy rightly to be feared.
She gazed at the one who was leading the pack, his position signifying his importance. The rider suddenly stopped, eyes searching the surroundings. His gaze was predatory, forcing Laila's own heart to race.
This was the man she was supposed to wed?
Her body fell away from the window, petrified.
She was almost grateful when the door to her chambers were abruptly opened.
"They are here!" Wafiyyah pulled Laila from the window.
"Why are you shaking?!" She questioned in worry.
"I saw them Wafiyyah... They are exactly as people say." Laila heaved as her friend attempted to calm her.
"I need to get dressed." She eventually whispered, silent as Wafiyyah nodded and left to prepare the bath.
She sat alone, gazing into the mirror before her.
Her mother's beauty was incomparable, or so she had been told, whereas Laila only bore mundane features. Despite being complimented many times for her resemblance to her mother, she could not believe it.
Wavy brown hair and golden skin. Her eyes were dark, almost approaching the colour black. She found that when in the sun, they even slightly lightened to a soft brown.
Nevertheless, Laila's physical attributes did not matter. It was her husband's opinion that did. After all, he would be the first one to see her without a veil.
In the past, the thought of it was exciting. But now, she merely feared a look from such a man.
"It's prepared." Wafiyyah entered, ushering the princess into her bathing chambers.
Laila stepped out of her sleepwear and sank into the marble bath. The hot water was soothing as she felt fragrant oils massaged into her skin.
"To think you may be wed by tomorrow," Wafiyyah shook her head, pouring clean water onto Laila's hair.
"What do you mean tomorrow? Is that not too soon?" Laila tensed.
"This was a promise made in warful circumstances, there is no time for preparation."
Wafiyyah signalled for a lady to bring a large cotton fabric for cover.
"So, I will be leaving tomorrow?" Wafiyyah nodded, tears brimming her eyes.
"Yes. I overheard some of the elders speaking of how you will leave tomorrow, regardless of when the wedding will take place." The confession was almost treacherous, to know they awaited Laila's farewell as much as they awaited the departure of the enemy tribe.
She re-entered her chambers, admiring the dress sprawled on the bed. It was so delicately embroidered that Laila was almost afraid to touch it. The fabric felt soft on her body, holding a looseness which allowed the air to cool her down in the scorching summer's heat.
"I will plait your hair for you," Wafiyyah offered, unable to speak any more words of comfort. "Your stepmother would also like to see you," she informed, caressing the princess' hair.
Laila nodded, allowing her friend to complete her task.
Their home was overwhelming, busy as ever due to the unexpected wedding. The princess sunk into herself, not wanting to be recognised or questioned. As if she held any of the answers.
Her feet froze in front of her stepmother's bed chamber, refusing to move and indulge in the coming sympathy. It was not that Lady Asiyah was unkind. In fact, her stepmother had treated her like nothing less of a daughter. It was simply that Laila could not bear to feel sorry for herself.
She sighed, reaching up to knock on the door when it was suddenly thrown open. She felt herself being pulled into warm arms, held tightly as she quickly returned the affection.
"Laila my love, you are surely a fool!" Her stepmother wept, cradling her.
"Forgive me" Laila whispered to the distraught woman before her.
"There is still time, you could leave right now and I can send another in your place. No one would know," Laila laughed, pulling away.
"This was my decision and I can never abandon it, Do you not know me?" She lifted the hand of her stepmother, placing it on her cheek.
"All I ask is that you give me your blessing, and hope that I can live through the rest of my days with the happiness of knowing I have done something for my father."
"Your presence in itself is more than enough to bring a thousand joys. You do not know your worth, my love. You bring me so much happiness, how do you expect me to live in peace whilst knowing you live in pain?" Tears fell from her cheeks, weeping with the heart of a mother.
Being cursed with no children was an arrow to the heart of this woman, but to lose the one thing closest to it was worse than living in a loveless marriage.
Asiyah was helpless.
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation.
"It must be for me." She lovingly looked at the only woman she could call her mother.
"I will see you again."
Wasting no time, Laila headed towards the doorway and glanced back, it was without a doubt that she loved her stepmother more than anything in this world. A gentle tug caught her attention as Waffiyah ushered Laila away.
For now, there were far greater things to witness.
--
The sound of the drums which were echoing throughout the tribe had come to a stop, and the halls of her abode fell silent. The Al-Muharibun had arrived at their destination. They had arrived at the steps of Laila's doorway to 'ask for her hand'- as tradition had demanded.
"I shall go see what is happening, please do not do anything rash Amirah. It would be best if you return to your quarters." Waffiyah gave a half hearted smile, rushing to see the coming events..
Within a second of her being out of sight, Laila made her way across the balcony and down a set of stairs. Following a small corridor, she arrived into a tiny store room filled with dust and discarded furniture.
It was suffocating. Regardless, the room was directly next to the main hall, which is where her father awaited his future son-in-law.
One of the walls of the room was made of carved wood, moulded into geometric patterns. Slight sunlight reflected onto Laila's eyes, aside from which, the room was dark and hid her perfectly.
Her view was short as she could only see the side of her father sitting on his chair, his advisors standing in neat rows beside his throne. She knew, he was distressed.
The large doors of the room suddenly opened, causing Abu-Al-Khayr, the leader of the tribe of Al-Shujae, to sit up in his chair and raise his head in confidence.
A tall figure strode in. His movements filled with pride as his head was held high. Following him were two warriors standing by his side. They were a step back, proudly behind their leader.
"Welcome." Her father greeted as silence followed.
He smiled, holding arrogance in his stare.
"Forgive me, I have left my men outside so as to not disturb our introductions." His words held no other meaning. It was a warning.
He was letting it be known that if we tried to fight, an entire army was prepared. Laila grimaced in anger, this man was insufferable.
"Although I thank you for your hospitality, it is a shame that it took so long to arrive here." The man raised his eyebrows in judgement.
"Regardless, let us not waste time. I am here to marry your daughter thus creating an unbreakable bond between both our tribes." His voice was strong, empowering him before his enemy. Deep and charming yet, his words caused a fury to awaken in Laila's heart.
He was not asking for her hand, he was simply taking it.
"We can offer you loyalty without marriage." No longer a leader, but a father stood in a room full of insatiable men.
His plea was unheard.
"With marriage comes an everlasting loyalty. Surely you would not let any harm come to your daughter, so we shall never worry of betrayal." The man felt his sword, looking at her father threateningly.
"The wedding shall take place tomorrow and I shall leave shortly after. Are there any objections?" His gaze searched the room as Laila's eyes widened.
It was an invasion, and her father was helpless.
Minutes passed before Abu-Al-Khayr reluctantly nodded.
"Tomorrow, after noon prayers, you shall be married."
Finally removing his hand from his sword, the leader of the Al-Muharibun laughed.
"Then let there be celebration tonight. Let the streets be filled with light for the Amirah of the Al-Shujae shall be wed!" The advisors around them cheered as Laila's shoulders sank in defeat.
She was merely a shield for these men, a way to ensure the success for their tribes.
Laila turned in devastation, willing herself to not sink to the ground when she suddenly felt another presence.
Abdul, her father's head guard, stood at the opening of the room, fixated on her.
"Amirah?"
"Shh, Abdul please," she whispered, turning to see if anyone had heard.
The hall was still vibrant from the news of the wedding as she frantically searched for her fiance.
Her eyes widened upon meeting another. Piercing grey eyes staring back at her, intrigued. Panicking, Laila fled, Abdul following closely behind.
"Laila! Stop." He grabbed her by her dress, forgetting his place as he pulled her towards him.
"Did you hear Abdul? I shall be married off by noon tomorrow," her voice broke as she fell to the ground in despair.
"I shall have to forget everything and leave with a man who I don't even know. All for the sake of protecting my tribe." Laila's eyes glistened, staring up at her one confidante, her best friend.
"And you know the worst thing... I have made this decision myself."
Abdul couldn't bear it, her grief was overwhelming. Never had he seen her like this, so... powerless.
He was trained to be a soldier, to prove himself worthy. He had learnt to protect his emotions, to save them for a day where he could ask for something impermissible for him.
Something which was now being taken.
"I will do whatever it takes to help you escape if I have to. I shall drag a servant in your place and force her to accept this marriage instead. Just say the word, I shall save you from this," he almost pleaded with Laila to accept.
She wouldn't. He knew it, yet he could not stop himself from begging.
Even now, as her face was damp from tears and her eyes smudged from kohl, even now when she was so defenceless, she would not change her mind. He knew more than anyone else.
No one was as stubborn as the girl in front of him.
"That would be cowardly, and I am anything but a coward." Laila stood, taking Abdul's hand.
There was something unspoken between them. Something now forbidden.
"Do not give me this offer again, I am afraid that I may actually accept," she whispered, turning to leave.
-
Wedding preparations had already begun. The 'guests' would stay in a quieter outhouse, not so far that she could avoid them, and not so close that she could be afraid.
"Amirah!" Wafiyyah shouted, approaching her.
"They say you are to be wed tomorrow!" She cried as the princess sighed.
"Yes I am." Laila admitted, signalling for her to follow her back to her chambers. They walked in silence, chaos around them lessening as the halls emptied.
"I never imagined the greatest day of my life to turn into a tragedy." Laila spoke as Wafiyyah took hold of her hand.
"You are saving us Amirah, the people are grateful." They walked past her door, towards the balcony which presented a coming sunset.
"Abdul came to see me." She finally said, her voice breaking. Wafiyyah turned, facing Laila in question.
"Abdul? Why?" She asked. Laila shrugged, staring at the colourful sky.
"He offered to save me, to protect me." She snickered in disbelief. "It was nice to imagine it."
Wafiyyah sighed, embracing her friend.
"Tonight there will be a celebration in the tribe. Let us go and join it." She suggested. Laila deliberated, unsure of herself as always. She had never taken such a risk.
"Please?"
Laila faltered, nodding.
It was not a crime to suggest her freedom.