Jedi Knight Padme: Thanks! I read something like that but I wasn't sure if that applied to the middle ages also.

Quick Reference:

wali- male family member who acts as the guardian of sorts for a woman (and a man) at her wedding

hammam- mmm kind of a public bathhouse

masjid- mosque

nikah- muslim wedding ceremony

mahr-dowry i think

mahram- a woman's mahram are the men who she cannot marry, usually because how closely they are related; father, grandfather(great-grandfather etc.), brother, son + grandson etc., uncle + great-uncle etc., nephew, father-in-law, son-in-law, stepfather, step son. A woman is only supposed to go without a head covering and whatnot in front of her mahram.

walima-after party thingy

I can't find the names of any of Saladin's children, so I made one up. And I'm going to have to take some liberties with the wedding because I can't find much info.

---

I stood quickly and took a deep breath as the door opened. I would be living with these women in a matter of days. Perhaps it would be Khalid's home, and I would be Khalid's wife, but I would not be the true mistress of the house. They could easily make my life hell, as many mother-in-laws had done to their new daughters. Three veiled women and a child stepped through the doorway and stood still until a servant girl had shut the door. I found myself frozen, but Nusayba was ready.

"Peace be unto you." She said graciously. Their reply was soft, demure. I stepped forward and extended my arm in the direction of the sitting area.

"Please, sit." I invited. Only when they were seated did they remove their hijab. Before me sat a woman who appeared to be in her fifties, with thick hair, untouched by age. Her face was lined around the eyes and mouth, but her eyes were sharp and bright. His mother. The next woman, or girl, looked to be a few years younger than myself. Her skin was as light as my own, and her hair was not quite black. Dark eyes were set in a sweet face that seemed prone to mirth. Before I could finish my observations, Khalid's mother spoke.

"I pray you will be pleased with my son's home. You are most welcome in his house." she said, her voice neutral. "I am Yasmeen. This is my daughter Maisara and her daughter, Salima."

She motioned towards the third woman and the child. Maisara's bronze face was kind and she appeared to be close to my age. Salima was a beautiful child who looked as if she had barely seen five summers. Her round cheeks were dimpled as she smiled at me shyly.

"Mama, her eyes are gold." She said in a child's loud whisper. Her mother leaned towards her and quieted her.

"Shh. It is not proper to stare." Maisara said gently. I smiled, not knowing what to say. Yasmeen took the opportunity to introduce the young woman.

"This is Aminah, the daughter of my husband, may Allah have mercy on him." She said. Her voice was husky and low and comforting. I suddenly hoped more than I had before that she liked me. My mother would have loved Khalid out of compassion. Perhaps Yasmeen would love me as well.

"I am Ava, the daughter of Walter of Blanchegarde and Helena of France." I said in as level a voice as I could manage. "And it is my honor to join your family."

I lowered my eyes out of respect and waited for her to say something. Nusayba had the servant girls set the low table with food and drink. I was not being a gracious hostess I realized. My friend and I waited for my guests to eat from the platter first. The princess pinched a bite of lamb between her fingers, and then finally it was my turn. It was delicious and I was starving after all the riding I had done that day.

Salima was a good child and said nothing after that first slip. Aminah gave me a smile once when our eyes met, but said nothing. Even Nusayba, who had been entertaining guests since her father had become sultan, seemed to be enraptured by her food. Finally Maisara broke the silence.

"You have not been told of the wedding have you?" She asked looking up at me.

"No. I assumed it would be in three or four days." I said. I had not had much time to think about it. I only knew that it would be soon. Yasmeen and her daughter passed each other distressed looks.

"God protect us." Yasmeen said. "The wedding begins tomorrow."

"It is true." Maisara said as she saw my expression. "Tomorrow night is the first gathering. It is the night for henna."

"You are upset?" Yasmeen asked.

"No. No, I am surprised." I said quickly. "I am still shocked that the sultan chose me for this honor."

Maisara smiled at me as if she knew that wasn't what I really felt. It was not an unkind smile.

"Praise God." Yasmeen said dutifully. "The henna party would normally be held at the bride's home, but this is impossible. It will be held at my son's house."

Aminah suddenly looked around as if something was missing.

"Did none of your family accompany you?" She asked confusedly. Nusayba looked away at the thoughtless offense. Undoubtedly Khalid had told them that I had no father, mother or brothers. However it seemed that they did not know that I had no other family to speak of.

"My father was the last of his kin, and my mother's family is in France. I have never met them." I said quietly. Yasmeen made a pitying sound and Aminah looked ashamed at her question.

"What then?" I asked hurriedly.

"The nikah will take place the next day in a masjid. It will be a simple ceremony, but afterwards guests will come to our home for a celebration." Maisara said. "The walima will be held the next day after the consummation, God willing."

I tried my utmost best not to blush. Even my ears grew warm. I had purposefully not thought of that part of marriage over the past weeks. Thankfully, they ignored my flushed cheeks.

"My son has sent a gift for your wedding." Yasmeen said reaching behind herself for something. She brought forth a lightly decorated box, longer than my arm and no deeper than my hand. I accepted it gently and Farrah came forward to set it aside.

"May God reward you." I said softly. I could think of nothing else to say to them. I prayed that they would not be so polite once Khalid and I were married. Perhaps the morning after my wedding, I would wake and they would sit down to breakfast with me and talk with me as if I were one of them. Or perhaps it was best that they did not give me any reason to love them if one day I might have to leave.

"My son says you have studied in Damascus." The swarthy matron said. I nodded.

"My father sent me when I was fourteen. The city is just as beautiful as I remembered it." I replied. This seemed to please her. She opened her mouth to say something else, but Aminah spoke first.

"Khalid says you ride with the army." The girl said eagerly. "Is it true? Did you carry a sword and ride into battle?"

I was taken aback and unsure of how to answer. My instinct was to tell her of all my adventures, mundane as they may have been compared to a man's. Yasmeen and Maisara could easily think me lawless and wayward.

"I have ridden with armies, yes. I was my father's only heir, so he thought it important that I know the art of war in case I should ever have to defend my land." I answered artfully. Truly my father had demanded it of me, but I had enjoyed it too immensely to ever think of refusing.

"And now?" Aminah asked hopefully. The spirit in her eyes told me that she would find it quite exciting indeed to have a sister-in-law that rode to war. I doubted that she had taken into consideration that it would be against the Muslims I would ride.

"If my king asks it of me. Otherwise, no." I said hoping she would not be too disappointed.

"Wives to not go to battle." Yasmeen said sternly, but I detected that her displeasure was aimed at Aminah and her eagerness. Aminah said nothing else of the matter, but the gleam in her eyes remained.

"What would you ask for your mahr? Do you have any conditions to set upon the marriage?" Yasmeen asked in a businesslike manner.

"Whatever my esteemed husband would bestow on me is enough. I have only two stipulations. I demand that he take no additional wives, and that should I see need, I be allowed to make two short journeys to my lands or Jerusalem a year. I cannot neglect my lands." My voice was as unyielding as the stones we sat upon. There would be no compromise. Yasmeen pursed her lips for a moment and her expression was one of deep thought. I wondered if she was concerned about the first or the second request. Or both.

"I will tell my son." Was the only reply I received.

We were silent once more. After an eternity of nothing but the occasional sound of a maid walking about or a cup being set down, Yasmeen looked up.

"It is late, and we have much to do." She said.

"Of course." I said politely. They replaced their hijab and stood with Nusayba and I. We walked to the door and paused for a farewell.

"Assalamu alaikum." I said to the women at the door.

"Walaikum assalam." Yasmeen returned. As they left, Salima turned and gave me a shy smile. Hope blossomed in my chest, and I smiled back.

"Praise be to God! I believe they liked you." Nusayba said as soon as the doors were shut. I allowed my body to relax and said nothing.

"It is fortunate for the mullah that he has no mother or father-in-law to impress tonight. I doubt he would do so well." She continued. I jerked my head up.

"He is here?" I asked with surprise. I didn't like the idea that he was in the same building as I was. It was much more comfortable to think of him as shadowy figure in some unknown part of the city.

"Yes. He is speaking with my father about the marriage." The princess said immediately.

"You should rest. Tomorrow you will have to face the rest of his family." She added. I suddenly longed for something to throw myself off of. More family.

"There are more?" I asked with dread. This was supposed to be a quick, political marriage. Did everyone in Damascus need to be there? Nusayba laughed.

"His mother and sister would have sent out invitations the moment they were told of the match. Mullah Khalid undoubtedly has other family that would never think of missing the wedding." She said, still smiling. Her smile faded and she took my hand. "I am sorry that you do not have family here to comfort you. You are my sister and I will be here with you at every moment, even after the walima. My husband is not leaving for another week, so you will not be alone."

I squeezed her hand. I could not put into words what I felt at that moment, but I think she knew.

"Forgive me, I have thought only of myself this evening. Tell me of your child." I said. I managed to find a smile. We sat again and Farrah replaced our drinks.

"Ah my Umar. I wish I had brought him. Musa would not let me bring him to see my father though. He was afraid Umar might become ill or be injured during the journey." The look in her eyes was distant and warm. "You should see him toddle around. Already he wants to ride his father's horse."

She laughed as if she were in some happy memory.

"You have a good life." I said lying down on the soft cushions. I looked at her and quirked the corner of my mouth. "I am happy for you."

I couldn't bring myself to be jealous.

"And I will be happy for you when you write to me of the paradise you have found in your new home." Nusayba said merrily.

"I am afraid you may be waiting for that letter for a long time." I said lightly. We laughed together for a few moments.

"It is time for my prayers. I will see you in the morning Ava." She said as she stood. She bid me farewell and left. I covered my face with my hands and sighed.

"My lady?" Farrah said hesitantly. I looked up wearily.

"Hm?"

"You should rest." She said gently. I yawned in response and stood up.

"I think you may be right." I mumbled. "Perhaps you should sleep as well. You've traveled far also."

"It is not the journey that has tired you." She said in a small but honest voice.

"You're becoming cynical Farrah." I said half seriously. "We must find you a husband."

At that she gave a sad smile, and I was reminded that she too faced a difficult choice. This was her chance to find a suitable husband, but it might mean leaving me. She had always been loyal, and I would find a way to repay her for her devotion, even if it meant giving her up.

---

"What?" I asked loudly. "What do you mean he cannot give me away?"

"I have been charged as her guardian in lieu of the king." Balian said, his normally soft voice rising slightly.

"He cannot be your wali. He is not your mahram, and he is a Christian." Saladin said firmly. I was angry. I had accepted the unfairness of my circumstances. That was life. But the idea of being denied this simple tradition, the tradition of being given away at one's wedding by a trusted man, was too much. I was already only too conscious that I would be the bride without family or friends, but the idea of being given away by a complete stranger was humiliating. Balian was upset. Baldwin had entrusted him with this honor, and he was not about to see me shamed.

"I am not a Muslim! I am a Christian!" I argued. I had never spoken forcefully to either men, but there was a first time for everything. Nasir sided with Saladin.

"The nikah will be in the masjid. It would be looked down upon for a Christian man to serve as the wali for a woman in a Muslim wedding. Especially one who is not her father or brother." He said in defense of Saladin's decision.

"But it is not forbidden! I have willingly come to this city by your request for a marriage that is the fruit of your scheming." I said hotly. "You have chosen my husband, you have decided on the date of the wedding- you have decided everything! But I tell you now that I will not endure the shame of having a wali who is a stranger to me."

It might have seemed childish to them, but it was vital to something in me. I had no mother to give me advice as we readied my things for my husband's house. My father was not there to kiss me and bless my marriage. No grandmother, no uncles or aunts, no sister…I felt my loss acutely at that moment. Balian was the closest thing I could have to a brother. Something in me needed to hear genuine concern in the voice of the man who presented me to Khalid.

Saladin was displeased with my outburst. The crevices in his face deepened as he looked at me. My own face burned with fury.

"I did not say the man would be unknown to you." He said acridly. "I will be your wali, should you allow it."

My anger cooled immensely. I was slightly appeased. It was a compromise I could make. It would also be a source of prestige for Khalid and his family if the sultan himself was the wali of the bride. It was tiring, trying to avoid anything that might tarnish his family's honor or reputation. I was past the point of blaming Saladin or Baldwin. I wanted to strangle Reynald and Guy and all the Templars with my bare hands.

"That is acceptable to me." I said and this time my voice was more respectful. "You would be doing me a great honor."

His eyes told me he knew. I looked to my food and placed a hummus-smeared piece of bread into my mouth. Perhaps if I grew too plump Khalid would not want me. I held back from smiling at such an inappropriate moment and stuffed a large piece of flat-bread into my mouth.

---

Khalid had three brothers and four sisters, which was not a very large brood considering his father, Falah, had kept three wives. Yasmeen, his first wife, was the mother of my husband, his brothers Yazid and Husayn, and Maisara. The second wife, Aisha, had given Falah al-Ghassani Ibrahim, Fatimah and Qabul. Aminah was the daughter of Safwah who had died giving birth to her. She was the youngest, and the only of Khalid's siblings, besides Husayn who was twenty-four, whom had yet to be married off. Maisara, Khalid's only full sister, had lost her husband two years previously when he had suffered a violent fall from his horse. Yasmeen, who was by this time the only living one of Falah's wives, had insisted Maisara return to her father's house instead of marrying her brother-in-law, much to Khalid's dismay. He feared his widowed sister would not find another husband especially since her short marriage had produced a child, Salima. In the erratic months he spent in Damascus since then, he had found a suitable husband for Maisara, only to have her refuse the match. Though it had been her right to refuse, it had caused an uproar in the whole family. It had been the most potent source of discord...Until I had come.

This I learned from Maisara herself and Faisa, Yazid's first wife. As soon as I had met with Khalid's womenfolk at the hammam, I had been the focus of all their attention. The hammam was hot and steamy, a very good place to relax, and yet I was as stiff as a corpse. Though we all wore thin robes of various kinds, I felt naked. Farrah had immediately become friends with Yasmeen's maid Buran, and I was on my own. Khalid's sister Fatimah had been the only sibling unable to come to Damascus from her home in Bosra, and Yasmeen and Maisara had invited several of their friends to come along. For the first hour, a dozen women had all fussed over me, albeit politely. They had all remarked excitedly over the silkiness of my hair and the color of my eyes and the straightness of my teeth...I even heard Qabul admiring my small hands. Finally Yasmeen had scolded them and they backed off. I had not seen one frown or one look that suggested I was not welcome. It was as if I had passed some test...

"They were all worried you would be a whore or a barbarian." Aminah whispered conspiratorially to me as we dangled our legs into a pool of steaming water. It was built for the purpose and small enough that I could reach over and pull Aminah's hair if I wanted. Maisara pinched her sister's arm for her choice of words. All around us women were gathered around pools or platters of cooled fruits. The hammam was a place for the women to gather undisturbed. I felt my dread slipping away...Even if Khalid offered me no kindness, I would not be so alone as I might have been.

"I was worried they would." I confided. Maisara smiled kindly at me.

"Any worries we had were not from Khalid's description of you." She promised. "He said nothing ill of you."

I wanted to ask her if he seemed disgusted or angered whenever the marriage was mentioned, or if it even mattered to him at all. But I didn't. I couldn't, for more reasons than one.

"Tell one of the attendants to make your tea to ease the pain. It is in the basket under the bread." Faisa called out to her husband's second wife. The very pregnant Noor had her hand on her back to support herself. Her slight grimace morphed into a smile at the mention of the soothing tea Faisa mentioned.

"Thank you. I always forget it." She said said gratefully. Though the two were very different, Faisa and Noor seemed to find each other quite agreeable. I could not help but wonder if they felt any jealousy towards each other. Faisa noticed my scrutinizing look and let out a low chuckle.

"You are surprised we do not hate each other?" She asked as she rubbed a smoothing ointment on her calves. "Yazid loves us both. It is the way of things. Though it seems you will not have to worry over such things..."

I felt awkward. Did they think me selfish for demanding to be an only wife? I was not ashamed by any means, but I did not want their resentment.

"Khalid does not mind I think." Maisara said thoughtfully. "He has had two other wives. He needs no more."

"You don't need to worry about that." Faisa said with a slightly suggestive undercurrent. "Not many men have wives with eyes as pretty as yours."

"Don't scare her Faisa. She is a virgin." Maisara said softly. Qabul, who had been sitting near, eyed me as if wondering if I had been chaste or not. She did it not out of cruelty, but out of genuine curiosity. I had been raised in a slightly different environment than Khalid's religious family.

"She must get used to the idea." Faisa defended. "And very soon. The nikah is tomorrow."

At that she looked at me and nodded knowingly. I wanted to drown myself in the pool in front of me.

"Don't giggle you silly girl. You'll be next." Faisa added to Aminah who was tickled by my red face. Contrary to looking somber, the young woman only smiled more.

"I hope so!"

"Are you frightened?" Maisara asked gently as she touched my arm.

"No." I said quickly, my pride getting the better of me. This whole wedding had turned me into a blushing, fumbling twit. She backed away slightly and gave me a pitying look.

"Don't worry, my sweet." Faisa said languidly as she leaned on one arm. "Tonight we married women will tell you everything you need to know about being a wife."

---

And indeed they did. Even more friends and cousins had been invited to the henna party. As I sat in my new teal robe with my hijab laid aside, my hands and feet were embellished with henna. Special attention was paid to the designs and not a mistake was made, though I wouldn't have noticed if they had dipped my entire arm in the dye. I was busy looking around at my new home. I was in Khalid's house. It was surreal, looking around at the comfortable residence. It was two stories and centered around a handsome courtyard complete with a gazebo and a fountain. The bottom floor contained the kitchens, the servant's quarter, a small chamber for ablutions and a number of other rooms. I had been led upstairs to a sitting room rich with cushions and rugs. It was the meeting place for the family.

Khalid and the men had been sent to Yazid's home for their own gathering, and I was somewhat disappointed. That fluttering, illogical part of my being, located in my middle somewhere, had hoped to catch a glimpse of the mullah. I had met the man once, and now it seemed the next time I would see him would be at our marriage ceremony. It was strange to be in his home. The next night would be my first night there. The lamplight flickered on the plastered walls as I stared at the carvings around the grilled window that looked out over the courtyard. The modestly vaulted ceiling was similarly decorated with geometric patterns. Lovely. Suddenly Maisara's head appeared next to my own.

"Enjoy yourself. You have years to look at the walls." She said as a smile played around her lips. Years... Maybe. Maybe not. Yasmeen finished with one hand and looked over it with a practiced eye.

"Your home is very beautiful." Was all I could manage as a reply.

"Yes." She said looking around with pride. "It has been in our family for many years."

"Finished." My mother-in-law announced. Aminah was suddenly right in front of me.

"At last! Would you like to see your room?" She asked, her large eyes gleaming in the firelight. Yasmeen looked as if she might protest, and then waved it off. Before I could answer, the young woman was dragging me out of the room and past the stairs. She led us into a narrow hallway that over looked the courtyard through grilled windows. Aminah stopped at the first door and opened it. It was a nursery. A few wooden toys were scattered about, and the brightly colored mattresses were on the floor. This was where my children would- I caught myself. That future was not promised to me.

"This is for the children of the household." Aminah said, already preparing to show me the next room. She pointed to the next door. "Toilet."

"Ah." I said. I assumed we were in the women's wing. Seeing as Khalid was the only man in the house, I guessed that it didn't matter.

"My room." She said as we passed another door. We continued to the next. "Maisara."

Not far after that, the hall ended with one final door.

"And this is your room." The girl said as she opened it gently. We stepped inside and I felt a smile begin to take form. It was a wide room, with windows that overlooked the street outside. My bed was low and inviting. The headboard had been masterfully carved, and the bedding was a deep green. There were plenty of well worn rugs, a sitting area partially blocked off with filigreed screens, and a green cabinet accented with red and white paint. It was warm and-

"That door leads to my brother's room." Aminah said, ruining the tranquility of the moment. I looked at the door on the left side of the room and felt my stomach twist into a knot. That again. Suddenly there was a commotion in the other side of the house. A few surprised shrieks rang through the air as Aminah and I hurried through the hall back to the women. I looked out the window into the courtyard and nearly tripped. Khalid had returned early. I quickened my pace and returned to the family room. The women were scrambling around to find their hijab while muttering with annoyance at the mullah's premature return. Soon my hair and face were sufficiently covered and I went to the window with the other tittering women to see what was going on. Yasmeen had gone down to intercept her son and was speaking to him while sharply motioning in our direction. I could not hear what they were saying, but it appeared that Khalid had assumed that our party would have ended by now. It was late after all. Suddenly it was time for farewells and we were filing down the stairs. At the bottom, Qabul, Faisa, Noor and a couple of other women crowded around me so that my groom wouldn't see me. Unable to resist as we crossed the courtyard, I tried to look at him. It seemed our eyes met for a moment but then I could no longer see him without straining my neck. He looked... well.

I swallowed and looked forward as we walked out into the street where most of the men were waiting for their women. It was my last night as the Ava I had always been. I felt I would be someone entirely different the next day.

---

Reviews welcome as always.