Not One Sided

5. I hope I don't..

Elçin's POV

"But..."
"Do as I say." I ordered Burçak.

"Tamam, hanımım."

Next afternoon,
A soldier came running to me.
"Elçin hatun, Markus is here."

I was really surprised because I didn't expect him to react immediately to my letter.

He sat in one of the yurts which was mainly for guests.
I entered.

"Elçin hatun, the brave and confident anatolian ruler. I've heard so much about you, Kutamışoğlu Suleyman Şah'ın kızı Elçin hatun.
So, finally you're ready to deal with us. I knew you would agree sooner or later. So, let's begin."

"I hadn't heard about you before. But I too am glad to accept this. I hope our unity brings prosperity to both of us." I replied

"That scoundrel Melikşah came here right. I also learnt that you refused to ask him for help."

"Oh I see..you're keeping an eye everywhere. Yes I refused. Whatever happened was Anatolia's matter. He didn't need to interfere in this. He already sent me from Isfahan and again he comes providing me help. At first, I thought of accepting his help. But after pondering much, I've decided this. I hope I don't get disappointed."

"Don't worry Elçin hatun. You won't be disappointed. I'll come straight on point. My main motive is to destroy Melikşah. And before that, I want to bargain. First thing, you'll provide us with a shelter in or around Anatolia. And secondly, help us expand our army. I hope you agree to it. Obviously, the demands aren't huge."

"Markus bey, I'll get this done immediately. It's not a big thing for me. But, in return I'll first ask you for safety of my people. I don't want any threatens hereafter. That's my prime concern."

"Of course, I agree! As I promised before.." He replied with a beam on his face.

He came closer to me and put his hands forward to shake.

I shook hands with him in confidence.

"Ok, now I shall leave. I might come later to discuss further."

After a few minutes, few ladies approached me.

"Elçin hatun, what are you doing? We don't think this is right. Previous day, Sultan Melikşah came here. And today, this man. We don't even know him. How can you deal with him?"

I answered in a calm tone,
"Trust me, see there's nothing wrong here. Markus has promised that he'll help us. They've already threatened us and if I don't pay heed to them they might do worse. Moreover, there's nothing wrong in uniting together."

"But you are uniting against Sultan..."

"I've once stood against my tribe for our Sultan. What did I get? All this time I stayed in Isfahan but returned empty handed here. I'm just thinking of my people. Even if I've to go against Melikşah for the welfare of my people, I will."

"Elçin hatun, no matter what you say you are on the wrong side. How can you betray him? How can you keep shifting sides like this?"

"Bak, abla cim. All that I'm doing is for our welfare. Try to understand. Everything is right if it's for your welfare and prosperity. And in my eyes, I find this as the best way for now. "

"But i still don't agree Elçin hatun. You'll repent on your decision."

"I hope I don't..."

I replied with a hopeful smile and left.

Melikşah's POV

"Sultanım, we're glad that you've returned safe and sound. I'm sorry to disturb you now but I've some important things to tell."

"Sorun değil abla. Tell me what you've to."

She seemed really worried.

"Sultanım, Terken hat..."

"What's the matter with Terken?"

"She has fallen sick. All this happened very suddenly while you were gone. One of the servants found her fainted in the room. Since then, she has been behaving very weirdly and goes unconscious time to time. Also, she keeps murmuring 'özür dilerim Seferriye Hatun'."

My brain paused for a few seconds when I heard this.

"Özür dilerim? What does this imply?Is she sleeping now?" I asked

"Ewet, she's sleeping. You can see her later. I too don't understand this."

"Tamam abla. Can you please leave for now? I feel tired."

"Tamam kardeşim. Have some rest."
She told placing her hand in consolation over my cheek and left.

I stood lost in thoughts. What happened to Terken so suddenly?
Elçin hatun had accused Terken of poisoning. Perhaps her accusations were true. Perhaps Terken had really done it. Perhaps Elçin hatun was right all this time. Perhaps...

Kamaç approached me while I was in the balcony.

"Sultanım, Hasan Sabbah has brought  a message."

"What's it?"

"He says, Elçin hatun has unified with Markus against us."

_________________
Kutamışoğlu Suleyman Şah'ın kızı Elçin hatun - son of Kutamış, Suleyman Şah's daughter Elçin

Bak abla cim - look, dear sister

Sorun değil - no problem

Özür dilerim Seferriye hatun - I'm sorry Seferriye hatun

Ewet - yes

Kardeşim - my brother

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