Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. I'm just borrowing them for a little playtime.
Happy Days Indeed
Frank Hopkins didn't know to expect when the letter arrived from Damascus. He had kept in touch with the Sheik after his victory in the Great Race. But to hear of his friend's passing was sad news indeed. The letter had come from the Prince and included with it, a small package and another envelope addressed to him, in the Sheik's own scrawl.
My dear Mr. Hopkins,
I am writing to inform you of my imminent demise. I am not long for this world. In fact by the time you receive this letter I shall have passed into Allah's hands. I have a few matters to attend to with you. The first is my horses. The Prince has graciously agreed to take all but two, a mare and a stallion, the two that Jazira loves most, Al Hatal and Bint Hask. My fortunes will be divided between my daughter and the Sheik chosen to replace me. This brings me to my daughter. I know who the Prince would have replace me, and he would have my daughter for himself or for my replacement. Jazira objects quietly strongly to both and I am forced to find a third option. I know in your country, marriage is to one wife and one alone. This I think my daughter shall prefer. I am sending her to you then Mr. Hopkins, who I like to think of as a son. She is put into your guardianship. I do hope she will find love.
With all my gratitude.
Frank put the letter into his pocket and opened the package. Inside were a handful of jewels and a ring of the bluest sapphire he had ever seen. The Prince's messenger returned to the ship to bring Jazira's belongings down to the wagon. Jazira herself came down the plank leading Al Hatal and a silver mare he guessed to be Bint Hask. She smiled when she saw him, although her eyes were red from tears. The messenger loaded her belongings into the wagon and they tied the horses behind it. They left for Frank's home a few moments later.
He eyed Jazira as they continued out of town. She was just as beautiful as he remembered. He hoped that she would be happy so far from her home. The plains shaped themselves like the dunes of Iraq but they were green and gold, not sand colored. She looked at him then and it was like she was looking into his soul, just like when they had been along together in the desert.
"I begged father to send me to you. He knew I would never be happy in Damascus. He knew I gave my heart when you took me back to him." She stated plainly. Frank studied her for a few more moments.
"Then I'll keep your heart, if you'll keep mine. I left it in your care when Hidalgo and I sailed home from Damascus." He said finally, and was rewarded with a brilliant smile from Jazira.
"Done. Lets go home, Blue Child." Their journey would take many days, but they would be happy days indeed.