Harem's Courtyard

I go outside to get some fresh air , wandering if am allowed to walk through the gardens, so I can smell the fresh spring blooms...

I take a walk through the courtyard and cannot help think of Sultan...maybe he will call for me again?

She walked through the courtyard, seeing the flowers in bloom: a rainbow of reds, purples, blues, whites and bright pinks among the greenery. The air was thick with their mingled fragrances, which delighted Isabella's nose. She found a bench under a shady tree and sat, relaxing in the summer day.

After speaking with my brother i decided to go for a little walk when i noticed a woman i did not recognize i went over to see who she was.

Are you a lady of the harem?

If she was then why was she without the others

She looked up when she heard a voice, and saw a woman she vaguely recognized but could not put a name to. "Good evening. Yes, I am of the sultan's harem." She wondered why she asked but did not venture to question.

I eyed her up then took in her accent.

But you have an advantage over the other ladies in the Harem as you are the princess my brother took captive! You do look very happy here for someone who is captive. Do you love my brother? He is very protective man i would hate to be in your situation a born princess in your own right captured and held here to make turkey safe for us..

I sighed taking in the smell of the pollen and moved in the shade so as no one who know whom she was talking with.

Isabella shook her head, smiling a little. "It is not as clear-cut as you think. Yes, I am a captive here, and yes I was very afraid of the sultan when I was brought here. I even hated him at one point. But there is a thin line between love and hate, and soon I fell into such passion with him. I think he had meant for me to go into the harem, the whole time."

I giggled a little.

No isabella he wouldn't like you to mix with the other ladies of the Harem. You are his captive though and because you are royalty you will be allowed your servant but you won't be placed in with the other ladies. May i ask you of you're home only if it doesn't cause you any discomfort of course

I closed my eyes taking in the sun on my face.

Isabella smiled, already taking a liking to this lady. "I am from Spain, if you didn't already know. It is a beautiful country, with very ancient roots. The sun is hot upon the earth, as it is here. Flowers bloom like jewels on the vines, and fruits of all tastes, sour and sweet, grow along with the flowers. Oranges, apples, blackberries, peaches... and there are still traces of Muslim influence.. vendors sell spices, dates and nuts in the market. The buildings are grand, with courtyards hiding lovely fountains, and colored mosaic tiles adorn the walkways. On the coast the smell of the ocean hangs in the air, the smell of salt and sand. And the people of Spain have a very strong faith in God." She smiled, missing her home.

It sounds so familiar to here except we have servants that go to the markets for us I am not allowed also we are Islic. Their is a little ritual that happens in the harem when they arrive you get given a different name an islamic name so that they become turkish. Have you been given a new name yet i would like to pick one for you based on ypur personality

I smiled reasuringly surprised at how easy to talk to the princess was.

"Because it is so similar, perhaps that is why I've become accustomed in my time here." She shook her head, smiling a little at Hatice's question. "No, I haven't been given a Turkish name yet. I would be delighted for you to choose one for me. I'm interested in what you have in mind." Isabella smiled.

I ran my fingers through the ends of my gown.

Hmm well i could call you Ysabel which is the old spanish version of you're name but that is not very turkish although the spelling is different and unsual! No it has to be something that represents you

After much think i decide on several names that represent flowers

How about Nesrin it means wild rose in turkish

"Nesrin.." she let the name roll off her tongue. She smiled to Hatice. "I like it! In Spanish you say 'Rosa salvaje'." She then realized she missed speaking her native tongue. "What else do you know about the girls in the harem?"

I listened to her speaking her native tongue.

i do not know much about the other ladies here! They are all slaves brought for my brother their was one that entered are palace screaming like a wolf why?

Despite herself, Isabella laughed. "Howling like a wolf, you say? I wonder if that disrupted the sultan's quiet, or perhaps made him curious about her. Anyway, I ask simply because I am curious." She liked to think she was the favorite of all the other girls.

I wondered why she wanted to know if she was my brother's favourite.

My mother the valide caught her with her commotion and when my brother had choosen her to spend the night with him my mother stopped her from going to his chamber's! She flavours only his wife as for my brother's option I simply do not know but, you will know whom his favorite is when she prances around in the finest clothes and when he gives her an Islamic name.

I told her in a very nice way.

Isabella pondered this. She had been given neither, but perhaps he would in the future. "I just think, since I am a princess I should take precedence." She lifted her head with pride.

Have you been given your own lady in waiting? May I ask you a favour? I know it is rude to ask since you're the one held captive. My brothers wife is expecting their second child, and I have seen harem ladies go crazy to get to my brother you know like blaming they are witch craft against them, my point is I don't want my brothers wife to loose her child and I trust that you will make yourself seen and not heard.

I thought for a second I had just given her alot of ammunition to work with I clicked my fingers and asked for some sherbet.

I could keep dropping your name as hints towards my brother he might come and visit you more. Have you ever had our sherbet drinks here

"No, actually I have not been given a lady in waiting," she replied, realizing it for the first time. "I do miss my Spanish ladies, especially Magdalena." She smiled thinking of her old friend. She listened carefully to Hatice's words and nodded. "You may trust that you shall not hear of my creating such dramatics. I am not the type to go after the other women ready to accuse and blame them of evil things. I am above that." She beamed at the thought of being with the sultan again. "I would love that. And I haven't tried the sherbet drinks, but they sound delightful."

I was taking a big risk in trusting her but she was sensible and seemed to know what the rules are around here.

You do understand that my brother has a wife already? But I think that it's better to keep him interested in you than a foul mouthed slave. I will see to it that you can have your own lodgings away from court and you're lady in waiting restored to you and I have a very strong bond with my brother I love him very much. Let's go and have an afternoon delight tell me did my brother know you were a nobel princess when he seized you

"I am aware he has a wife, and I do not seek to replace her. Far from it. Oh, if you could help me to get my own lodgings and get my lady in waiting back, I'd be so grateful." Isabella followed Hatice. "Yes, your brother knew I was an important princess. He captured me to negotiate with Spain, or so he told me."

I let out a sigh of relief

That is a great relief to hear of what you speak it goes beyond me why people and by that i mean harem ladies always want rid of my sister-in-law she does have a temper of ice but she has givenn us an heir. Oh and mustafa is the most adorable of children. Putting you in your own lodgings shall be easy who knows we might even find the lady who traveled with you. Do they have what the english say thicker skin is it?

I stopped waiting for a servant to come and tell me are room was ready to dine in whilst smiling to isabella to make her feel welcome.

"I think I am no threat to your sister in law, nor do I wish to be. Perhaps I may talk the harem ladies into being more obedient. They are losing the sense of right and wrong." She looked gratefully at her. "I would love to have my dear Magda back with me, if she is even still alive." Isabella shuddered. "But what do you mean by thicker skin?" She asked, confused by the saying.

I looked at her in exasperation

You must not we have nigar kalfa as the second chief of maid she is highly respected