Dear Reader,

I had a lot of trouble writing this chapter. I had a serious case of writer's block and spent nearly a day staring at the computer attempting to write this. It's not that great, but it is an essential chapter to the story and it was about time for an update. Please enjoy and review; I already have the next chapter ready, but I will have to wait to post it until I get enough reviews.

-LunarLitLover

Preview for Next Time: Yasmine reunites with someone, has an argument and thinks about her regrets.

Recap: Admin and Ayska are getting married and Ali and Fatima/Yasmine are a couple.

Chapter 13: Yasmine (Fatima)

Royalty Revealed

The cool desert air blew dust into my face as I carried the full water skin over to our small tents. The breeze, although rough from the granules, was refreshing and cool, for the sun was setting in the west and the earth was finally releasing its heat. However, I knew it would soon be too cold to roam without protection, for night was coming in the desert.

I lugged the water skin from the camels to the fire located between our five tents. The camp had been put together quickly and was designed to be packed up quickly. A dozen and a half of us were in the desert between Jiddah and Mecca, on our way to the costal city of Jiddah where the Admin and Ayska's wedding would be taking place. We had originally been traveling with a group of pilgrims; they were taking their special Hajj, as we were, and we joined them to Mecca. After experiencing Muhammad's wonderful city, we continued west, towards Jiddah, with a caravan of traders, but they told us a Bedouin tribe was on the move, a day or so ahead, also traveling west. Our group decided to try to catch up with them, so we, despite the danger of traveling alone, chose to leave the safety of the caravan to attempt to catch up to the Bedouin. Therefore, we were camping alone tonight.

I reached the camp's center, put the water skin down, and then sat down myself to rest for a moment. Ali then came out of the tent we were sharing with Admin and Ayska, and he sat down next to me and put his arm around my shoulders, which were now shivering.

"I guess you're not used to the night chills of the desert. I daresay you probably hardly ever entered the desert with your old family," Ali said, pulling me closer to him.

At the mention of my old life, I felt a strong pain of guilt in my navel. I had still not divulged the truth about my past to anyone, even Ayska and Ali. It wasn't that I didn't trust them; I did, and I wanted to tell them so badly. But I didn't know how. I had gone so long as Fatima, that how was I supposed to just randomly admit I was someone completely different? After all, I had truly become Fatima, and I didn't want to go back to being Yasmine. But I knew I needed to tell them. And soon. Of course, now wasn't the appropriate time, with everyone traveling for a wedding. I would have to wait until after the celebrations to tell my secret.

However, at that moment, my thoughts were cut short by a shout at the edge of our miniscule camp. "Oy, there are some horses approaching! About a dozen!" one of Admin's friends shouted.

Ali rose along with the other men and went to the edge of the camp. These people might be brigands or thieves, and we did not intend to let them overrun our camp. I, feeling worried also, rose to join the men, my black abaya flying in the now strong breeze.

We waited until the men on horses reached our camp. Only when they did, did I realize that they were official royal guards. Guards that I had passed each and every day in the palace. Fear erupted in my chest. What if one of them recognized me? I pulled my abaya tighter over my face.

One of the guards approached us and Admin stepped out to speak for the group. "The Sultan himself is camping nearby," the guard said. My eyes bulged in surprise. "A precious jewel of his has gone missing; we think it was stolen. So, we are inspecting all of the nearby camps, to determine if there is a thief in any of them. We will be searching through everything, mind you."

"I don't think that would be appreciated by my guests," Admin replied boldly.

"I'm afraid this is not a request," the guard replied harshly.

Admin, admitting defeat, bowed slightly and said, "Very well, you may search."

The guards tore through the camp, throwing our personal items in all directions. No one did appreciate this, of course, but what choice did we have? But I was too worried about my identity being discovered to care about the disorganization of my belongings, and I focused mainly on staying out of the way of the guards.

However, I didn't get very lucky.

The guards were obviously unsuccessful in their search and were preparing to leave as soon as they realized this. I was standing at the edge of the camp still, and was completely unaware that the group of guards was headed my way. You can imagine my surprise when one bumped into me. I turned around immediately and came face to face with my old personal guard, who had looked out for me since I was a child. I looked into his eyes, and the intense fear of being recognized returned.

My fear was not unfounded. He looked into my eyes, and a look of confusion came over his face. It was as if he recognized me but could not remember who exactly I was. After staring at me for a moment, though, he still couldn't remember and muttered an apology. He then backed up to leave. However, the wind had twisted the edge of my abaya around his arm, and when he moved away, he accidentally pulled it off my head. I stood there staring, eyes wide, with my dark hair shining in the waning sun for a moment that lasted an eternity. Then I got my senses back and hastily pulled the abaya back over my face and head.

But it was too late. He had recognized me.

The guard's eyes grew very wide and his mouth fell open. "Princess?" he asked uncertainly. "Princess Yasmine?"

I didn't know what to do. If I spoke, surely he would know. Instead of answering, I began to back away.

But now he was confident in his suspicions. "It is you," he said. "Oh, Your Highness, you father will be so pleased to see you again. We all thought you were dead."

"What are you talking about, Good Sir?" I asked, panic in my voice. Everyone in the camp was staring at me. Including Admin, Ayska and Ali.

"Princess, don't deny it. Highness, I know it's you. You will have to come with us, of course."

Fighting it would not do, it seemed. So, I panicked. "No!" I yelled. "I'm not going back!"

I began to run.

However, I was caught by the guard who had recognized me. He had grabbed me from behind to stop me.

Soon other guards joined him, and it was clear that there was no way in which I could escape. Still fighting tooth and nail, they put me up on one of the horses, and my childhood guard mounted behind me and held me tightly so that I would not fall off, whether by accident or choice.

We rode out of the camp, with the guards in a circle around my horse. I knew now there was nothing I could do.

I looked over my shoulder as we rode out. I saw the faces of my friends. Most of them appeared shocked or angry.

However, Ali looked heart-broken.

Seeing his face, tears began to pour out of my eyes. Why hadn't I told him? Why hadn't I given him the truth that he deserved? I wished I could go back and do it over again.

But there was one thing I wished for even more than that. I wished I could stay with Ali. But that could never happen. I would never be able to see him again.

Blinded by tears, I had no way of seeing if they froze or evaporated as they landed in the course desert sand.

And the horses continued onward, caring nothing for my tears.