Nestan's Wedding (CH 38)
The Knight in the Panther Skin, Book One: Avtandil's Quest
“In the morning, before the first light of dawn, I awoke to voices outside my chambers. I rose to find my servant, who told me the King and Queen wished to speak with me. Concerned at what might cause them to call me at such an early hour, I dressed and immediately made my way to the palace.”
“When I arrived, they were waiting with three of their most trusted advisors. I was invited in and asked to sit as they spoke, ‘God has brought old age upon us. Our youth is past, no differently than seasons fading throughout the year. The burden of ruling has exhausted us, yet we have no one to assume the throne in our absence. Raising you, we never wanted a son, but now there is no one left to rule.’”
“‘We can marry Nestan to someone, but as of now, we have found no husband for her and do not know where we can find a worthy man. It must be someone to whom we can entrust our Kingdom to, who would be our own and formed in our image. One we can trust to sit beside her and guard the realm. Do you have any idea where we can find such a man, who would ensure victory over our foes, and keep the swords of our enemies from us?’”
“Their words cut me in ways I didn’t know I could be hurt. I always considered them as my own family, but what they said left me in disbelief. I stumbled for words, looking to find anything to say other than what was on my heart. Yet my heart remained silent, and I was left to answer as best I could.”
“‘Though I agree Nestan is enough to carry our hopes, how can your heart not feel the want of your own son? My first duty must be to India, so I will support whatever decision you take. But what more would you have me say? How can I offer you advice in this matter? Surely you know what is best for the Kingdom. I am certain whichever man you choose will rejoice at his good fortune.’”
“How they hurt me. But what could I tell them? From what they said, in their eyes I was neither suited to marry my love, nor as a son and heir. So, I sat mostly in silence as they began discussing how to proceed. I believed nothing I might do or say would change their minds. Knowing this, I did my best to steel myself and stop the flames in my heart from burning me to soot. How it pained me to be a part of the counsel to my own ruin.”
“At one point, Pharsidan spoke, saying, ‘I know of a man in the Persian Kingdom of Khvarazma, the son of King Khvarazmsha. None are like him. He is a lion, fierce and proud, commanding a vast host of armies. If this Lord would give us his child, all our worries will be gone.’”
“Here, to my eternal pain, the Queen spoke up, saying, ‘It is true. He is mighty and known far and wide for his benevolent rule and military prowess. Surely this youth is worthy of our daughter! Who else is there who could be a better choice as our son-in-law?’”
“To say I died at this moment is to compare the sun to a candle. I immediately understood they had discussed the matter between themselves earlier. Their words were guarded as though holding some secret from the rest of us.”
“Though I wished to speak against this injustice, it was not my place to do so. Instead, duty forced me to agree with their decision. Nothing I could say would hinder what they both clearly desired. I burned to cinders and fell to ash as the day of my ruin was set, and Fate once more pressed her black hand down upon my soul.”
“The King and Queen sent word to Khvarazmsha, asking for his son. They wrote, ‘The throne of India is left without an heir, and in the entire Kingdom, only one daughter of royalty remains. She is fit for childbearing but not to be wed abroad. Instead, she will remain here with whomever she marries. Yet if you would agree to our terms, we will give her hand to your son. Come quickly, and we will gladly receive you.’”
“They loaded their messengers with gifts of rich cloaks and veils of the finest silks, and they were not disappointed with the result of their efforts. Khvarazmsha rejoiced at their coming and gave Pharsidan and his Queen a joyous answer, writing, ‘By the grace of God, we have what we wanted most. No other child in the world can be compared with yours. Who else is better? Our joy will be immeasurable in marrying our son to your daughter.’”
“I was ordered to prepare men who would bring the Persian prince into our palace. There, he would steal the jewel of life from me. I had no words for what I felt. Duty required me to remain Amirbar while a foreign man invaded the Kingdom I was bound to protect and stole the woman I gave my soul to. Not a ray of light fell on me when I realized what cruel designs Fate devised.”
“I tried to find mental and physical oblivion by exhausting myself in training, but I peace eluded me. In time I gave up and went to my chambers. My hope was to rest or at least seek respite from the mausoleum of my heart, but no salve could heal the wound I now bore. I began enduring pain like nothing I experienced before. How I might go on living was beyond me.”
“Alone and a stranger to myself, I contemplated the knife of melancholy poised above me. I believed nothing might compel me to live further, but someone came to my door. I bid the man in without concern for him or what message he carried, but after a moment, I recognized who he was. He served Asmath, and I stood to receive the letter he brought. In it, I learned Nestan commanded me to appear before her without delay.”
“When I understood she wished to speak with me, a spark of hope lit within my breast. I did not think I would see her again, as her father had already decided the matter. Yet now she called to me. Filled with new resolve, I mounted my steed and quickly left, making haste to the little garden outside her tower.”
“When I arrived, Asmath was waiting, but I could see she had been weeping. Tears still stained her cheeks, and it made me sad to realize my coming caused her grief. I jumped from my horse and came to her, worried at what brought her such woe.”
“A frown was etched across her face, and she turned from me without a word, raising the golden curtains and beckoning me into the jeweled tower. Her silence added fresh wounds and worry to my bleeding heart, for I did not know what waited within.”