LONG LOST (A Sungurtekin Bey Fanfiction)

35.

In the Kayi marquee, that night, everyone was preparing for the upcoming dinner. Hayme was seated in the beylic chair while Halime, Selcan and Nuray were busy in the preparations. Gundogdu had also came but he was resting in the tent because of his arm. Sungurtekin and Ertugrul were seated along with their mother in the marquee but not talking enough. They had talked about tomorrow's plan in the noon. Ertugrul was deep in thought but Sungurtekin had been sharping his sword all the time. Sometimes he would look up and stare at her for sometime but was not saying anything to her. Hayme had considered this weird but than she thought that it might be because of the dinner that was coming in their way. The very air of the marquee was heavy. After sometime Ertugrul stood up. Hayme looked at him while Sungurtekin stopped his hand.

"I should leave now." He said. Hayme nodded and Sungurtekin also stood up and followed him outside the marquee.

"I will try my best to keep everything in hand." He said.

"You will be succeeded, I know. Also Tugtekin and Gundogdu Abi are smart enough to understand the hidden meaning of that bastard's words now." Ertugrul said.

"Still I am worried, Ertugrul." Sungurtekin sighed looking around him.

"Me too. But we have to pull ourselves together." Ertugrul said and descended down the stairs. Sungurtekin's gaze followed him till he was out of his sight. Then he turned to look at the stream bed from where he could see The Dodurgas coming towards their marquee. He sighed deeply and went inside.

"They are coming." He informed everyone. The table had been set so he went inside the tent to bring his brother out.

"Are they here?" Gundogdu asked when he saw him coming.

"Almost." Sungurtekin replied. Gundogdu nodded and Sungurtekin helped him to sit in the bed. Then he picked up his cap from the table and gave it to him. Gundogdu smiled and stood up. Just then they heard the voices outside in the marquee.

"Come one, Abi, the women are alone." Sungurtekin smiled and went outside the tent along with his brother. They all greated each other and then Hayme gestured them all to be seated. Once they all had been seated, Hayme took the bread placed in front of her and started sharing it with the guests and her children. Selcan was not seated with Gundogdu in order to not raise suspicion that they were together again. Instead she was seated in the far corner alongwith Halime. But Nuray was seated with him. Sungurtekin side-glanced her, she was busy in eating so he turned back to Gumustekin who was looking around him with a proud expression on his face. This expression had became a part of him since he had been appointed as the margrave.

"I am so happy to see these two nomad groups in unity." He smiled as he noticed Sungurtekin's gaze on him. Then he turned to Hayme and smiled. "The Kayi tribe and The Dodurga tribe will collaborate and will be stronger."

Everyone was listening to him and also staring at his expressions while eating their meal.

"You are right, Gumustekin bey." Hayme nodded. "Your margrave strengthened us in Turkmen tribes. Inshallah, This seigniory will always remain within your margrave." She smiled in the end. Gumustekin nodded in appreciation.

"May God protect our unity and strength." Aytolun smiled.

"Ameen." They all said. Aytolun smiled and then held her arm to pick up some bread placed on the table but a soft whimper escaped her lips gaining the attention of Hayme and Selcan. She immediately hid it and was able to pick up the bread.

"What happened to your arm, Aytolun hatun?" Hayme asked with a smirk. Everyone looked at Aytolun who had now gained their attention too. She smiled.