Salam everyone, hope everything is okay :) Enjoy this chapter and vote.

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~*Without Hope we are Lost*~ Mahmoud Darwish.

The sun was greeted in the tribe of Al Rashideen with open arms. The Bride's family encircled her when the sun rose higher. Raghad was garbed in a ravishing dark gown, brought from Iraq. Her thick glossy hair were combed, braided and the plait fell down her back. A large, red velvet shawl eclipsed her face and covered her form. The women who prepared the bride spoke of bravery and fortitude to her as if they comprehended her despair, but they did not. The one that understood her misery was her own soul that wailed every time she breathed.

Raghad wept when her mother encased her form and bid her farewell. She could not commit anything, they were taking her away from her safety into the hell of slavery. Sheikh Faisal, her beloved father was nowhere in sight when women took hold of her arms, tenderly. As if she was a rose who's only last petal breathed. Raghad clamped her teeth on her chapped bottom lip the moment she stepped out of her father's tent.

There was a series of camels that carried her belongings, and passengers. Camels and horses herded around her camel. The camel presented to her by Khalid when she was little. There was a howdaj positioned on the back of her camel. A seat for a person, with a railing and a canopy, decorated with expensive gems.

Raghad knew the horses belonged to the Borkans except from the white horse, that stood next to her camel. Badr was the only one who wished to accompany her, upon hearing that news Raghad had shed more salty tears. The night before when Badr had accepted her entreaty the abhorrence in her sinless heart had perished only to be filled with utter love. She spotted him everywhere, he was alongside her at times of isolation and wretchedness.

Raghad recalled how hard she had attempted to close her eyes at night in order to plunge in the depths of a dreamless slumber, but had failed significantly. It was after Fajr prayer that she was prepared for the journey. Borkan tribesmen mounted their horses while the others helped the women. Badr grabbed her left hand and trod to her camel.

"Badr, I am afraid." the bride rasped, her grip firm around his hand.

Badr leaned down to plant a kiss on her head. "Habibty Raghad, do not worry I am here with you and shall be there for as long as you desire." he vowed as he helped her sit in the Howdaj, cautiously.

Raghad wrapped her palled fingers around the railing when the camel began to stand. She could see everything, however disregarded the black horse that stood in front of the caravan like a devil. "Do you need anything?" Badr questioned and straddled his white horse, Barq.

Raghad shook her head ever so slightly, all of a sudden bashful, conscious of the innumerable eyes that gaped at her Howdaj in wonderment. Even though curtains from both sides obscured her, she did not drop her veil. Within a trice a horse cantered up to them and asked Badr if the caravan could proceed. He gave a nod, the messenger galloped back to the front to apprise Faris, then at long last the caravan advanced.

The heart inside her bust begin to pulsate viciously, so rapid that she was certain it would cease. Such immense terror, such vulnerability was something she had never suffered. Raghad permitted the water that kindled her eyes to flow down her cheeks openly. After a prolong while she decided to lift her veil as there was no one around her but the beloved brother, her protector, Badr.

The pace of the camel swayed her form back and forth gently. Sheets of sand-dunes that passed her vision were magnificent. Raghad swathe her arms around her middle when a bitter breeze danced inside the Howdaj. The tears on her cheeks dried as she stared at the sand-dunes, then plain desert, trees and sand-dunes yet once again.

"Are you hungry?" queried a voice and Raghad cringed.

She turned to her right and saw Badr, he held the curtain of the Howdaj with a disconsolate smile on his lips, evidently at her reaction. "Wallahi Badr, you terrified me." she exhaled, took hold of the curtain for him so he could ride his horse without any sort of inconvenience.

"My apologies, Raghad. I did not intend to frighten you." Badr stared at her as if he searched for something only they were aware of.

Was it anguish or mayhaps courage?

"It is okay brother, you are forgiven." She uttered the words, rolled the curtain around her palm to avoid his eyes.

"Do you not want to eat?" she heard Badr say when the caravan climbed another sand-dune.

Raghad ran her tongue over her lips and shook her head. Badr grinned at his sister, however his insides shattered at how his dearest had transformed in just few weeks. She denied to meet his gaze, or converse with him. He looked ahead with a deep scowl on his handsome face, then recalled a memory. "Lift that pillow behind you, Raghad. I made certain Khalid left food there." Badr informed her, twisted his head and watched her intently.

Raghad could not help her feelings, tears sprung in those doe-like eyes and her breath hitched in her throat. She uplifted the round pillow and saw dates in a small sack, a leather flask filled with goat milk. Instantly, she grabbed the flask and the sack and brought them to her chest. After about seven dates Raghad stopped, "Badr, you must have some."

"I have my own sack, ya Raghad. That pouch is yours." he vocalized the words eyes frontwards as the caravan passed barren land. They traveled in silence for what seemed like an hour, the caravan then halted near an oasis to perform Asr prayer. Badr tugged on the curtain of the Howdaj and Raghad veiled her face. A man on foot sauntered up to them and goaded the camel to kneel. The camel bend its front legs and dropped its knees, then folded it's hinds to sink on the gravel.

Fear appeared like the early morning's dew on her heart when Badr helped her out to pray. "Pray behind me, Raghad." the knight placed his palm on her her arm and helped her face Qibla.

Terrified shivers snaked down her length when she perceived that her hunband's eyes were on her. Goose-flesh arose on her pale skin and she shuddered. However, when Raghad commenced to pray all those disturbing thoughts, doubts disappeared from her brain.

Faris, once done with prayer rose to his feet, his hawk-like eyes landed on his bride, Raghad. There was a veil on her face, but he could still make out the side of her face, although not very clearly. He took note of Badr who stood in front of her and communicated to his sister. Faris was well aware that she would not verbalize a word and to proof him right, Raghad merely nodded. His heart did not twirl at the sight of his wife, nor did it beat in a dissimilar manner. He grimaced, pivoted then mounted Tufan and signaled for the caravan to prepare. His father had by now reached the tribe as he was escorted by horsemen instead of a caravan of women. This vexed Faris, but he did not pronounce a word.

Raghad dropped her veil once she was inside the Howdaj and the curtains were drawn. She closed her eyes against the cool wind that teased her face. Her heart compressed at the thought that they were miles away from Borkan tribe. The place no man from her tribe visited, now it was her home, where she would reside. Oh, how she desired for death to embrace her and eliminate her torment. Raghad hissed at her imprudent thoughts and chastised herself . She should be patient, for Allah loved those who were patient!

Sun exhaled when the time of Maghrib approached, it commenced to descend the stairs to meet yet another part of the world. The bride's form went numb when Badr commanded her to veil her face for they were about to traverse the boundaries of the tribe. Raghad yearned to flee, to run and hide and never confront her fate. Her breath came in harsh puffs, promptly she began to recite Quran and implored to gain more valour. A frantic sob escaped her lips and more tears cascaded down her eyes. Raghad knew Badr watched her, she was well aware that he could not commit anything.

The caravan entered the tribe of Borkans, dread so severe enfolded around her that, by Allah she felt her brain would split open. "Ya Rab, guide me, help your servant," Raghad pleaded in a hoarse voice. Suddenly, the caravan came to a halt, she wiped her cheeks and veiled her face. The camel then knelt slowly, the motion caused her insides to whirl like a dust devil.

Badr's hand drew the curtain, "We must dismount now." the man spoke in a deep voice, as if wrath and trepidation clogged at his throat.

Her hand trembled when she moved it to his outstretched hand. "I am petrified, brother." Raghad croaked.

Badr pursed his lips and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "So am I, sister." those words fractured the walls of courage and cloaked her form in tremendous fright. She knew Badr was not afraid of the Borkans, his foes, it was her, he was scared witless for her.

Once her feet touched the ground of the Borkan tribe her world befogged, as if ropes yanked her in a dark abyss. Before her head could roll back and body collapse strong arms gripped her shoulders to support her. "My dear, dear Raghad. You have been nothing but strong, so strong that your fortitude cannot be found in millions. Stay strong for a little while longer sister, for me Raghad, for your brother." Badr whispered in her ear, eyes narrowed.

She urged her eyes to open and blinked a few times with Herculean effort. When the fierce wave of vertigo subsided she grabbed her brother's arm then slowly walked forward. "Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuh."greeted a familiar voice. Raghad felt Badr's fingers press harder on her shoulders, but not harsh enough to bruise her.

"Wa 'alaykum as-salaam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh." he enunciated in a stony tone.

"We must escort Raghad to her chamber, my son." Umm Faris declaimed.

Raghad clenched her jaw when her heart desired to yell at them. "I comprehend Khalty, but I must not abandon her side, until I am satisfied. I am certain you will respect my wishes." Badr vocalized the words more tenderly this time.

Umm Faris gave a nod then sauntered ahead of them. Women now enclosed both siblings as they followed Umm Faris, who ambled towards the stupendous mud house in the tribe. The brother plodded with exceptional prudence, his form rigid like a statue. Danger and menace oozed from him, he was in his enemy's land, not many of his men were present, so Badr knew he had to keep an eye on everything and every movement. He had to be prepared if the enemy betrayed him, although in the back of him mind he believed Faris would not violate the treaty, but he would be a fool to trust the wolves in a deserted land.

After a considerable time the wooden doors of the house were pushed open with a creaky sound. Badr and Raghad placed their right foot over the threshold in the house first, meanwhile they recited specific verses of the Quran. Women began to send prayers to their Lord and Salaam to the last Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم . The knight felt Raghad's shoulders shake and knew she wept. The duffs then sounded when they stepped in a thin hallway and ceased in front of a door. Badr's throat went dry as he helped Raghad walk in the chamber and sit on a mattress on the other side of the room. He did not pay heed to what occurred around him, his attention was pinned on his Raghad.

Sagr al Fursan sat on his heels in front of Raghad like a shield, enfolded his large warm hands around her quivery hands. He remained in that position for a long while, disregarding the women who sang their blessings and beat the duff until their palms were scarlet and throats parched. Water in mud pots were served by a little girl who resembled the groom, Badr took the pot but did not drink a drop. By Allah, the sword that hung from his waist waited and heart drummed with vigilance.

"My son, we must unveil my daughter's face." Umm Faris spoke to him.

At once he felt Raghad's finger dig in his palm. He knew he could not deny what they desired, women gathered around in the room to get a glimpse of the bride. He gave a firm nod. "Raghad, do you wish to reveal your face?" he murmured and waited forbearingly for his sister to make a decision. His heart knew Raghad was lionhearted, very brave when she gave a slight nod of her head.

Umm Faris rose to her feet, did not say a word to Badr then tenderly grabbed the fabric of her shawl and unveiled the bride's face. A murmur unfurled in the room when they saw Raghad, she did not raise her gaze, merely glared at her hands. Raghad took a pledge to not shed tears in front of her enemies, she was not fragile, not torn. The tears that soaked her lashes began to dry when wind touched her skin. Her beauty had perplexed the beholders, the rumors, the praises were indeed true. Sheikh Faisal's daughter verily stole half of the moon's beauty. Women who fed their eyes off of her beauty left the room and nattered of it in the tribe. Soon even the birds in the tribe knew that someone prepossessing had come to their tribe.

Time elapsed but Badr did not move an inch from her sight. "You must pray brother." he heard her voice her thoughts. Badr stared at her, taken aback that she had vocalized few words. Raghad felt her insides curl and shatter, suddenly a bile rose in her throat.

"Come, pray with me." with that he began to stand up.

"No, you must not pray here." Raghad panicked.

Badr grinned and apprehended her hesitancy and the message she wished to deliver. She feared of the eyes that looked at them, feared that their 'hasad' will effect Badr. He climbed to his full height and women shrunk away. "Umm Faris, I shall return soon. I must pray now." Badr announced , looked down at his sister then departed.

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Did you guys like this chapter? Let me know what you think in your COMMENTS and do VOTE!! Sorry it's short but I wrote this within three days, I hope you understand that I have a life and other stories to work on too. They didn't meet yet once again but you guys must know that this chapter needed to be explained in detail. I won't jump in their love life in a blink of an eye like other writers ;P

Raghad =رغد

Faris= فارس

Badr= بدر



Picture of what might a camel Howdaj or Howdah look like on the side>> But mine is a little different like the one they use in Prince of Persia or an Indian doli ;p