AN –Okay this come to me last night out of the blue. I hope you like it. It will only be six or seven short chapters at the most. I hope it will help clear up my writer's block. Characters are the property of S. Rhimes, poetic license taken in the form of an AU. Enjoy and let me know what you think.
Desert Princess
Olivia sits in a tent guarded by the two fake jondi she was sold to by her brother. The door flaps to the tent are slightly open. She sees a man, presumable the sheikh, ride up to the entrance of his tent on his horse. A bond servant holds the horse as the man dismounts. The servant leads the man's horse away, as another servant approaches the man with a basin and water. The servant places the basin and water gourd on a table next to the tent. The man removes his headdress and riding garments. He splashes his face, underarms and upper body with the scented water. The servant pours the remaining water over the rest of the man's body and hands the man a towel and fresh clothing. The rider is a tall man, muscular and fit. He is handsome and the tattoo on his arm signifies he is an Amir. His flexing muscles momentarily mesmerized Olivia. She finds his naked form intriguing. She has never seen a man entirely unclothed. The Amir senses he is being watched. He turns around, but Olivia quickly retreats further back in the tent opposite the Amir's to avoid his searching gaze. Dismissing his feelings of be watched, the man puts on the fresh garments and sits on a stool next to the table. The servant takes the basin from the table, tosses out the used water, then places the basin on the ground in front of the Amir. The Amir puts his feet in the empty basin. A third servant arrives with more water scented with spices. She pours the fragrant water over the Amir's hands and feet. She then dries his hands and feet and places an ornate slipper on each foot. The Amir runs his hands through his wet locks as he turns to enter his tent.
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"Are you sure you want to do this my Amira? He reaches to over stroke her face with the palm of his hand.
"Yes Amir, it is the only way. The hakim has tried everything to open my womb to no avail," Mellie replies, disheartened. The Amir nods and motions to the attendant standing at the entrance to the tent.
"Bring her in", Amir Grant instructs the attendant.
Olivia enters the tent. The walls are draped with fine tapestries, the floor covered with fine rugs and elaborately embroidered pillows. She notices the interior is not so much unlike that of her father's tent. The Amir and his wife are sitting in the center of tent on two low sitting chairs of scarlet and green.
Unaccustomed to subservient postures, the attendant gently forces Olivia to bow down and sit on her knees. "Head down", he whispers to her.
"Maiden, what is your name", the Amir asks.
"Olivia bint Eli, she retorts proudly."
"Daughter of Eli, are you promised to a man?"
"No."
"Daughter of Eli, have you known a man?"
"No."
"What does your father do?"
"He is a hakim." The kidnappers warned her not to reveal her father's true identity or her sister would be killed.
"Have you siblings?"
"Yes, a younger sister and an older brother."
"Has your mother instructed you the ways of man?"
"I do not understand what you mean Amir." Olivia is genuinely confused by the question.
"Maiden, how old are you?"
"I have seen the summer solstice 18 times."
"Has your mother prepared you for marriage?"
"No, my mother crossed over into paradise during the war with the Doyle infidels", Olivia replies in a solemn tone.
"I am sorry for your loss", Amira Mellie offers softly. Fitz continues his interview.
"Do you know why you are here", the Amir asks.
"No Amir, I do not."
"The Amira has decided to bestow a great honor on you. This day you shall prepare to become my second wife, my concubine."
Olivia is dumbfounded. She thinks; how could this be happening to her? How could Hassan do this to her? No, this will not stand. God will send her father to rescue her. She is the daughter of an Amir-i- kabir, the great commander. This is not her life. She will choose her own husband. She will not be one of two or many wives. Clearly, this tribe is not of the faith. God will not abandon her to this folly. No, this cannot happen. Her father Amir Pope will find her and make the kidnappers pay with their lives. He will disown Hassan for this unforgiveable betrayal. How dare this minor chieftain think he can have his way with daughter of Amir Pope?
Olivia knew to speak now was to invite immediate death, so she held her tongue.
"Maiden seven days hence you will become my second wife." Follow the attendants; they will prepare you for the ceremony." Several older women dressed in brightly colored flowing garb surround Olivia and help her to stand.
"Maiden harken to my words. You are second wife, as such you will submit in all things Amira Mellie. You will obey her as you would me. Do you understand maiden?"
"Yes Amir."
"Take her away and prepare her," Fitz commands.
The women practically have to carry Olivia from the tent. Fitz's words are like blows to her body. She can barely stand due the weight of her plight. Tears fill her eyes as she offers up a whispered prayer.
"Are you pleased my husband? Is she not beautiful and strong? I am told it took two jondi to subdue her. She will give you strong sons, my Amir."
"No my wife, she will give us strong sons. I know this was a hard decision for you to make. I love you all the more for being so selfless and doing this for me."
"Fitz you are my husband, it is my duty to give you a family and to provide heirs from your loins. It matters not the channel they arrive through. It only matters that they are of your seed. She may birth your children and they may suckle at her breast, but they will call you and me father and mother."
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Who does Fitz think he is? Does he know the circumstances that brought Olivia to his tribe? Does Mellie know Olivia's story? Tune in next time to find out. Please review and share your thoughts with me.