Thanks to everyone who reads this story! I'm back with another chapter. Some serious drama going on in this part, but the story is definitely moving forward. I apologize if this chapter seems a bit rushed.
Sort of spoiler: This story is reaching its planned end, but fear not! There is a sequel (I actually wrote the sequel storyline before this one), which I hope will also be a interesting read. Like I've said before, this story was born of out my desire for a satisfying ending to the POP series. I liked following the SOT-WW-T2T storylines, but I wanted an ending that was good enough for my imagination.
Farah stood in her room dressed in a long deep blue gown accented with black on the sides. It was conveniently tailored to make her appear thinner and hide the bulge of her stomach. Luckily for her, other than her stomach, her normally thin physique was otherwise unchanged.
"My Lady," said Indrani, entering the room. In her hands was a face veil that looked deceptively thin but had quite a few layers of material sewn into it. She carefully tied it over Farah's nose and mouth.
"There," she said, stepping back with satisfaction. "That should filter out some of the odors that may make you ill."
Aman also entered the room, placing his hand on his opposite shoulder and bowing slightly.
"My Lady, it is time."
/************************************/
Roshanak had clearly spent a lot of time and effort in preparing the banquet. A large table was set up in a large hall in the palace with the finest dining utensils and plates in the kingdom. When Farah made her entrance, accompanied by Aman, who took his place standing to the side, Roshanak's eyes widened as she examined Farah from head to toe.
"Lady Farah," she said silkily, "Is there a reason you are wearing a face-veil here?"
Farah gave Roshanak a look of utmost innocence.
"Lady Roshanak," she began, "I have had a lingering cough for quite some time. Surely, it would be lacking in decorum if I were to cough all over your glorious banquet."
Several of the other guests chuckled. Roshanak simply narrowed her eyes.
"Very well," she all but snapped. "Let us begin."
Roshanak clapped her hands, and servants poured into the room, carrying enough food to feed an army. As they set the food on the table, Farah found her suspicions being confirmed. Roshanak had the servants prepare the most strongly smelling dishes. Platter after platter of meats, poultry, and fish heavily prepared with onion, garlic, ginger, and all kinds of spices were laid out. Even through her face veil, she could smell the odors that made her stomach queasy. Shaking her head, she reminded herself that the goal was to survive the dinner. Bypassing the pungent courses, she instead helped herself to flatbread, which was easier to stomach.
Roshanak, noticing this, motioned to a servant, who placed a generous portion of a lamb dish onto Farah's plate.
"My Lady," said Roshanak innocently, "I insist you try the lamb. You would be missing out by just nibbling on that bread."
Motioning to a group of servants, she said, "Pour wine for all of our guests as well. When everyone has been served, there will be a toast."
The servants bustled about the table, serving wine to all the guests. When one approached Farah, Aman discreetly threw some small pearls onto the floor. The servant stepped onto the pearls, lost his balance and spilled wine all over Farah's food. He immediately bowed down in fear.
"Forgive me, your Highness!" he wailed, terror in his eyes.
Roshanak threw a cloth napkin at the servant's head. Farah made a silent prayer of thanks that it was not a utensil.
"Why must I deal with such incompetence in this palace!" she screeched.
Farah's eyes met Aman's, and she suddenly had an idea.
Why not shut this stupid banquet down once and for all?
"Please rise," said Farah gently to the quivering servant. "You are dismissed to go back to the kitchens."
The servant bowed in gratitude and almost made off running. Farah then turned to the table and picked up her goblet of wine.
"Ah, this wine looks wonderful" she said as casually as she could. "This will do wonders for my cough."
With that, Farah pretended to take a large swig. Suddenly, she dropped the goblet, which crashed onto the table spilling wine everywhere. A few guests shrieked as the wine splashed onto the food. Farah widened her eyes and clutched at her throat, gasping and coughing.
"IT BURNS" she wheezed, continuing to gasp for air, flopping her body like a fish outside of water.
The rest of the guests, who had not yet touched their wine goblets immediately backed away from the table.
"What is the meaning of this, Lady Roshanak?!" yelled one man. "You were going to have us drink that wine!? What did you put in it?!"
A look of fury and incredulousness passed Roshanak's face.
"Are you accusing me of poisoning my guests?!" spat Roshanak.
"YES!" shouted more guests, as they became angier. Some even left their seats to approach Roshanak.
"GUARDS!" she bellowed.
In the midst of the chaos, Aman grabbed hold of Farah and was able to transport her away from the banquet. Once they had made it back to her quarters, Farah tossed off her face-veil and took a deep breath.
"Well," she said to Aman. "What did you think?"
Aman looked at her, a look of surprise in his eyes. "That was bold, My Lady, quite bold. I must admit that I did not expect it. That being said, your method was the only thing that would have caused such an outcome."
Farah took a sip of water and took a seat on a cushioned chair, placing one hand on her rounded belly.
"I know that I infuriated Roshanak, but there was virtually no other way to end it. I bought myself some time, but I've certainly incurred more of her wrath."
/*************************************/
Several months later
After the banquet incident, it seemed that Roshanak also decided to adopt a low profile in the palace. There were no banquets or further events orchestrated by her. Also, Aman had informed Farah there was word that King Sherfiruz would soon be returning to the palace after having brokered peace between the Greek and Persian Kingdoms. This was good news on many ends, but for Farah, it also meant that Roshanak's meddling and scheming during Sherfiruz's absence would finally have to cease.
In a small celebration of these things, Farah took Yasmin out to the hanging gardens, with Aman trailing at a distance. It had been a warm day, but once noon had passed, a gentle breeze blew through the gardens. Yasmin took off running towards various flowers laughing with joy. Farah followed closely behind, a light shawl draped around her rounded belly, and her bow and arrows wrapped in the voluminous part of her cotton sari.
"Yasmin, be careful! I don't want you tripping and falling." Called out Farah firmly.
Yasmin turned to Farah, beaming reassuringly.
"It's ok, Ammi. I'm not a baby."
Farah sighed as she saw Yasmin run off and shook her head, smiling slightly. Lately, that was her response to almost everything. A while back, Farah had tried explaining to Yasmin that she had a baby in her tummy who would be Yasmin's baby brother or sister, and that sometimes the baby played around, causing her pain. Yasmin, in these moments, would run up to Farah's belly, rub it gently, and say "Baby sister, please be nicer to Ammi."
"How do you know it's your baby sister and not your baby brother, Yasmin?" Farah had asked, amused.
"I just know, Ammi" Yasmin had said matter-of-factly.
Yasmin had also been extremely excited to have a playmate, and Farah had carefully explained to her that the baby initially would be too small to play with her.
"The baby will be very delicate and will not walk for a while. We will have to teach the baby everything."
Yasmin had been more than eager to play teacher for her new sibling. It was because of this that she found every opportunity to demonstrate that she would be didi, the older sister, and that she was not a baby.
Farah smiled again at the thought of Yasmin and her unborn child together. Farah herself was hoping for a girl, and how nice it would be for the two of them to have each other. She adjusted her cotton sari around her belly with one hand and pulled out her bow and arrow with the other. This was the first time in a long time that she had put on her native dress, and it was by far the most comfortable outfit to wear at this stage of pregnancy. With the wind gently blowing through her clothes, she felt more alive than she ever had during the many months she had spent hidden from Roshanak.
And what better way to feel alive than some archery practice? The last time she had done any archery had been the competition.
That was ages ago…
Farah sighed. The past nine months had passed by so quickly, and so much had happened. Aiming her bow and arrow, she shot at a fruit hanging in a tree. The arrow hit neatly at its step, dropping the fruit on the ground. Suddenly, she heard a slight chuckle.
"Always a sharpshooter, aren't you?
Farah instinctively drew up her bow and arrow and pointed towards the direction of the sound.
From behind the tree came out Sherfiruz with his hands up.
"Easy, Farah. It's me!"
Sherfiruz? I thought he wasn't due back until later…
Farah lowered her bow and arrow but stared at Sherfiruz in shock. Sherfiruz just smiled as he approached her.
"Surprised to see me? I managed to get back early, but I wanted to surprise-"
Sherfiruz suddenly stopped, as his gaze fell on Farah's rounded abdomen visible through her sari. He then looked up at Farah's eyes questioningly. Farah found herself turning a little warm with embarrassment, as she placed her hand over her belly.
"I found out after you left," she said in a low voice, looking at the ground. "And I didn't have it announced." When she looked at him, she saw that a smile full of tenderness had broken on his face. Within moments, he had made his way over to her and placed his hand on her belly. Immediately, Farah felt a strong kick.
Sherfiruz smiled upon feeling the kick. "Our child is a fighter." He then reached over and kissed Farah's forehead and took his hands in hers. When he met her eyes, Farah was a little surprised to see that they were lined with moisture.
"All this time away from the palace," began Sherfiruz softly, "I thought of how much I wanted to see you and Yasmin. Never did I ever think that I would receive the greatest gift possible."
Sherfiruz then put his calloused palm on Farah's cheek and pressed a fervent kiss to her lips.
Farah closed her eyes, relaxing and relishing in his kiss until the moment she felt a warmth in her lower body.
Farah's eyes opened wide as she gasped and looked down. Liquid began to gush between her legs.
"Sherfiruz," she gasped, pushing away from him and grabbing her stomach, "the child is going to come very soon."
Sherfiruz's eyes widened in response. He immediately lifted Farah into his arms.
"I need to get you to the infirmary-Guards!"
Aman came running with Yasmin in his arms.
"My Lady," he said, jogging towards Sherfiruz who was heading back to the palace with Farah in his arms. His eyes widened, catching sight of the liquid dripping from Farah's thin sari.
"Aman, it is time. Take Yasmin back to my quarters and call Indrani." said Farah firmly as she hung onto Sherfiruz.
Aman nodded. "Strength and safety to you, My Lady" he whispered as he hurried off to the palace.
/**************************/
"She WHAT?!" spat Roshanak.
"Lady Farah is giving birth in the infirmary" repeated Bahar.
"She was pregnant?" Screeched Roshanak. "HOW DID EVERYONE MISS THIS?!"
Bahar simply looked at the ground.
"IMBECILES! ALL OF YOU. YOU HAD 9 MONTHS TO FIGURE THIS OUT! NINE! AND NOW YOU TELL ME!" bellowed Roshanak.
"My Lady," began Bahar, her voice faltering, her eyes still on the ground. "That guard of hers from the Indian Kingdom-he was always blocking us from getting a good look at her."
Roshanak's facial expression changed from angry to deep thought almost immediately.
"Always around her, you say?"
A smirk appeared upon Roshanak's lips.
/*******************************************/
Seven hours later
Farah lay in the bed covered in sweat, breathing heavily, groaning in pain.
"My Lady, push a bit more! I can see the head!" coaxed Indrani.
Farah grimaced. The pain was beyond words. Nothing could have prepared her for something like this. The only thing she could describe it as was perhaps the cramps she got with her monthly bleeding multiplied by ten thousand, maybe even more. Gritting her teeth, she pushed with all her might, letting out a yelp of pain. Immediately, she heard the sound of an infant crying.
Indrani emerged from between Farah's legs and held a cloth wrapped around the wailing infant, who was covered in a mixture of gloppy white and red matter. She gently wiped away the messy fluids, carefully wrapped the child in a clean cloth, and placed the bundle into Farah's arms.
"You have a healthy new Princess, My Lady." said Indrani with a smile.
Farah looked down the small tan-skinned, dark-haired bundle that stared up at her with large blue-green eyes. Yasmin moved closer to Farah to get a better look.
"This is your sister, Yasmin." remarked Farah
Yasmin peered at the bundle in Farah's arms.
"Greetings, Baby sister!" Exclaimed Yasmin cheerfully. "Ammi," she remarked after taking a closer look, "her eyes are just like Daddy's"
"Yes, indeed they are" answered Farah with a nod. Yasmin was an astute child to have picked up on that.
Indrani then tapped Farah on the shoulder. "His Majesty is making his way here."
Farah nodded and sat up a bit straighter, adjusting the bundle in her arm and smoothing the blankets around her. She was immediately thankful that she had asked Indrani to oil and tightly braid her hair before she had given birth so it wasn't flowing in wild, sweaty untangles strands about her shoulders. She took a deep sigh. Although she felt tired, she couldn't deny the feeling of relief that was spreading through her body.
King Sherfiruz walked in a few moments later. No one but his closest servant knew this, but he had spent the last 7 hours in anxiety, pacing around his study, worrying and praying that Farah and the child would both be fine. His nerves calmed upon seeing Farah, whose caramel skin was tinged with a bit of yellow, but managed a smile upon seeing him despite her exhaustion.
Upon seeing her father, Yasmin immediately ran to him with her arms raised. Sherfiruz took her into his arms and ruffled her golden curls.
"How is my little flower doing?" he asked with a smile.
"Fine…Daddy, Daddy I have a new sister!" exclaimed Yasmin.
"Yes," interjected Farah with a smile. "One who needs a name" she added.
Sherfiruz set down Yasmin who scampered away with a servant and sat on a chair next to Farah's bed. "Any suggestions?"
Farah thought of Lady Anemone. Anemone in Greek referred to the daughter of the wind as well as the wind-flower. Yasmin was the flower. This child could be the wind.
"Naseemeh" said Farah suddenly. "What about Naseemeh?"
Sherfiruz smiled approvingly. "Yes, that is fitting." He then held out his hands. "May I?"
Farah gently handed over the bundle to Sherfiruz with a smile. Sherfiruz cradled the child in his arms.
"My Naseemeh," he whispered, as he rocked her in his arms, and he gently kissed her forehead.
/****************************/
A few days later
Farah watched as Naseemeh slept peacefully in her bassinet. She had been happy to leave the infirmary and go back to the safety of her own living quarters. Naseemeh was not quite sleeping through the night, as Indrani had warned her, so Farah tried to coordinate her own sleep with the baby. Yasmin was also adorable, trying to sing to Naseemeh and be "Ammi's helper" whenever possible, but trying to keep up with both Farah and Yasmin had drained her of energy as well, and she had also fallen asleep at the same time as Naseemeh.
"Lady Farah" whispered Indrani, interrupting Farah's thoughts.
Farah quietly walked out of the room to join Indrani. She immediately noticed worry on her face.
"Indrani, what is it?"
"My Lady," Indrani began with a deep breath, "A horrible rumor has spread throughout the palace involving your relationship with Aman."
Farah's eyes widened. "What?"
"Aman was taken in for questioning," continued Indrani with a grimace. "But if you ask me, I think 'questioning' is a mild word for what they are probably doing.
Farah stood up immediately and grabbed a shawl to wrap around her body. Indrani rushed behind her.
"My Lady, no! You mustn't do anything rash!"
Farah bit her lip and looked back at Indrani. "Why? An innocent man is being accused of something utterly false and slanderous."
"And this reeks of Roshanak." interjected Indrani. "If you go rushing in, you could likely be falling into a trap."
Farah gritted her teeth. "Be that as it may, I won't let Aman take the fall for this lie."
Indrani looked at Farah pleadingly. "My Lady, you've just given birth. You-"
"I'm going, Indrani, and that's final."
Farah wrapped her shawl and headed out the door.
/*************************************************/
Sherfiruz angrily slammed the parchment on his desk.
"Whose work is this disgusting rumor?!" he exclaimed.
"Your Highness, it appears to have been traced to Bahar, who serves Lady Roshanak." answered Sherfiruz's most trusted guard, Mahan.
A few hours earlier, Mahan intercepted a note that was circulating within the palace with the disturbing rumor that Lady Farah's newborn child was a bastard, and that the father of the child was her guard, Aman.
"Your Majesty, Aman was seized approximately one hour ago and taken in for 'questioning'."
Sherfiruz pinched his temples and sighed in frustration. "The audacity to bring forwards such baseless accusations!"
"Your Majesty," said Mahan carefully, "we should go to Aman as soon as possible. Mehran is in charge of this 'questioning', and knowing his history with such things-"
"Yes, you're correct, Mahan. Let us go there before things get out of hand."
