Chapter 9
The Ties that Bind
Robin looked down at Noor; who was twisting her wrist to watch the silver and colored glass sparkle in the firelight. "You really like it?"
"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever owned, Robin." Noor was enchanted by the bracelet and how its glass sparked in the firelight.
Wrapping his arms around her, Robin sighed. "We still have a few hours until dawn. Come lay in front of the fire with me." He could spend an eternity looking into the fire and stroking her hair, praying for the dawn to never come. Dear lord, hold the moon in the sky just a little longer; Robin prayed while stroking Noor's hair. She seemed to purr as he touched her. Kissing her ear Robin whispered, "ana behibek, rouhi. Tahib tajawazini?"
Noor relaxed completely in his arms. He asked her this every night. At some level she regretted teaching him the Levantine dialect of her home. Every night she wanted to say yes and every night she had to tell him no. "Robin, you know I can't leave the palace. I do have a compromise for you though."
Robin looked at Noor closely. A compromise to a marriage proposal? That was something he had never heard of before. "Ok Noor what do you have in mind?" Robin was intrigued.
"I can't marry you but I can tell you that Salahadin will be gone from Jerusalem for the next six weeks and he's leaving me here." Noor smiled seductively.
"He's leaving, hm? Where would Salahadin be going that he isn't taking you and I won't have to follow with the army?" Robin was really intrigued now. He could have uninterrupted access to Noor. If he planned things right, then she could possibly sneak him into the palace to see her. Robin immediately began to fantasize about soft beds and hot baths. He could get really clean, like he hadn't been since leaving England.
"He's going to Medina to see his horrid Yemeni wife and to partake in the religious festivals for Ramadan. He felt that taking me would create problems and marital disharmony with her. So I and only a few trusted servants will be here for six weeks as the household travels to Medina. How's that for a compromise?" Noor attempted to cock her one eyebrow as Robin did and failing that raised both eyebrows at the same time in a shocked expression.
"That is an amazing compromise Noor. So it seems I have you all to myself for the next six weeks." Reaching into his pocket Robin took out the small silver ring. "Seems like a long enough honeymoon to me." With that Robin took Noor's right hand and slipped it on her finger.
"Oh, Robin you are hopeless. You know that? You are hopelessly and incurably romantic. I love you though and the next six weeks with you should be wonderful. Now get some sleep before dawn. I'm sure your king will want scouts to follow Salahadin to make sure he isn't secretly raising an army and you'll be needed to stand guard." With that Noor snuggled on to Robin's chest and drifted off to sleep.
Robin smiled to himself and closed his eyes. She hadn't taken the ring off and he had six weeks to persuade her to leave with him.
