Spring 1532

The palace of tears.

This is what Topkapi Serai had turned for her. The birds sang their tune of spring outside of her window. The sun shone brightly, lively on the outside but the darkness of death hung in the halls and the chambers. Her heart mourned as did Mihirimah's.

Her daughter's emotions were always in tune with hers and her father. An eerie silence blanketed the Harem, it was even quieter within her apartments, for she could hear the quiet breaths of her sleeping children.

They were at peace but Allah knew Mahidevran was in her room planning the war she was about to wage on them, a war almost a decade in the making .

She couldn't sleep, knowing that any hour could be their reckoning. He had to make it to the morning. If he didn't....she shook the thought out of her head. She could not dwell on it. Mehmed was tucked under her left arm.

Her oldest, handsome boy, was the one who saved her life when they wanted to end it. Selim and Bayzeid were curled together, Selim had one arm over his younger brother. It was curled protectively and Chiangir laid in his bassinet peacefully, innocence like a halo around him.

In the dark she could feel her daughter's eyes on her.

"Anne," she whimpered, "Will father be okay?"

"He will," she reassured. He had to be.

The sun was shining, so bright that it almost blinded her. She was standing in a field that reminded her of the grassy knolls in her homeland. She shielded her eyes from the sun and scanned the hillside, looking for something familiar, that's when she saw him.

He stood tall and regal as ever. This wasn't Sultan Sulieman, this was her love. Her eyes met his and the sadness held within them threatened to break her. She opened her mouth to call out to him, but no sound came from within her.

He stood as still as a statue, and she would have mistaken him for one, were it not for the sadness in his eyes. She picked up her skirts and ran to him. She ran and ran but came no closer. It seemed as if the faster she ran, the further he became.

Breathless and frustrated, she started screaming his name.

"Sulieman! Sulieman! I am here. Come to me!"

Her love, the light in her life, smiled and turned his back on her.

"Sulieman! Please! Don't leave me. I'm afraid."

The sky blackened and at once she was drenched from rain.

"My Hurrem. Now is not the time for fear. You must wake up!"

She didn't remember falling asleep.

"Sultana," she heard, "Sultana,"

She opened her eyes to see Esma standing over her...tears in her eyes.
Hurrem knew what happened. She immediately sat up. A headache was coming on.

"Do you have their cloaks and shoes?"
Esma nodded.

She shook Mihrimah awake, "Anne?" she questioned.

"I need you to be brave my Sultana," she said grabbing her daughter hand,

"You and Mehmed have to my strong lions,"

"Anne is father-?" she began asking.

"Yes he is," sniffed Hurrem, "But we can't grieve, Mihrimah because if we do we will drown in even in more tears if we don't leave this palace,"

Mihirimah nodded, tears running down her cheek.

"Wake your brothers," she instructed, coming off the bed.

Esma already had Changir bundled in her arms, her lion cub was still asleep peacefully.

Oh, Allah, let him not know any evil, she thought.

Mihrimah was ushering Bayezid and Selim out of the bed.

Selim rubbed his eyes and ran over to her

"Anne, I want to sleep,"

"You can sleep later my cub," she replied as Esma handed her his cloak.

She buttoned it, sending him off to Mirhimah who was trying to keep a sleepy Bayezid awake.

Mehmed was rocking on his heel, his face scrunched in anger but his eyes filled with grief.

Hurrem grabbed her own cloak and her shoes.

"Where is Gül and Zeynep?" she questioned Esma.

"They sent me ahead to get you, sultana, they said they will clear the path of any guards," answered Esma, " Gul said Nigar Kalfa will come collect us,"

Hurrem hoped that Nigar would arrive soon. She sat on the couch, head in her hands. The twinge of headache she felt but a moment ago was now raging and pulsing behind her eyes. A warm pair of hands was placed on her shoulder.

"Valide,''

She looked up and saw Mehmed sitting next to her. An image of his father but the shape of his eyes were all her mother's. She heaved a heavy sigh, she could not dwell on the dead.

"Valide, I will protect you, no harm will come to you, my brothers or my sister,'' he said firmly.

She hugged him, pressing a kiss to his brow, "I know my lion. I know."

She looked around the dimly lit room. Bayezid had fallen asleep in Mihrimah's lap and Selim looked not far behind him. Esma was cuddling Changir, a look of determination on her face.

Esma had a quiet strength that Hurrem admired and as soon as they were safe, she would reward her loyalty with what little she had.

Mirhimah was passing one of her hands through Bayezid's hair whilst rubbing the tears with her other hand. Mehmed had his head on her shoulder.

Oh, Allah protect my children, she thought. Let them not suffer for any of my sins.

She was pulled out of her prayer by a knock on the door. She looked over to Esma, who passed Changir over to her.

"Don't worry Sultana," she said. She pushed her cloak aside, revealing a dagger.

Esma walked towards the door with calculated steps. Another knock came.
Esma opened the door, slightly.

Hurrem didn't even know she was holding her breath until the door opened and Zeynep walked.

"Sultana," she said out of breath, "We need to go now,"

Zeynep was a new addition to her household. She came into Hurrem's service after Changir was born. With his health problems, Esma needed extra help with the older children.

Zeynep was Ruthenian like her. They bonded over this and sometimes late at night they would converse in the old language reminiscing of their homeland.

Zeynep, walked over picking up Bayezid. She placed his head on her shoulders.

Hurrem passed Changir over to Esma. Mirhimah held onto her hand and Mehmed held on to the other. Selim tucked himself under his sister.

She took a deep breath, "Let's follow Zeynep, my cubs,"

They exited the room, the palace to never seeing them again.

********
Gül Aga was a man that lacked patience. He could never sit anywhere longer than 20 minutes. The ship that was supposed to carry them to Sicily, was anchored in all its glory.

However his impatience increased whenever that demon Sumbul was around.

Sultana was supposed to arrive a long time ago. The wind that swept from the bosporus on to the docks was cold and he pulled his cloak closer.

Seker Aga was asleep on top of a bag of produce he was supposed to load onto the ship. Through the corner of his eyes, he saw Sumbul was pacing, muttering under his breath.

"Inshallah, Gül Aga, can you do anything right?" complained Sumbul.

Gül glared at him, "You are not supposed to be here," he hissed, " You and that cow,"

He pointed at Seker who let out a sound between a snore and a snort.

"You were supposed to stay in the palace with Mahidevran the snake and Grand ass Ibrahim Pasha, now you're going to beg my Sultana to save you,"

It was Sumbul's turn to glare at him.

"I will serve the true legal wife of our Sultan," he replied smugly, "After all I was the witness at her marriage to our great Sultan!"

"Ah," said Gül, spitting on the ground next to him.

"You,you-" began Sumbul raising his fist.

"Hey!" a voice shouted from behind them.

Gul turned around and there stood Nigar Kalfa with her hand on her hip, next to her was Gulnihal Hatun.

"Gulnihal Hatun is that you?" questioned Sumbul and Gül grumbled.

"Yes, it is," she replied almost meekly.

Gül knew the girl was the Sultana old friend from Ruthenia; they had arrived at Topkapi Serai together. However, Gulnihal was married outside of the palace while his Sultana rose to the top.

"Why are you two always fighting?" asked Nigar, shaking her head, she turned to where Seker was sleeping,

"Seker Aga!"

The man awoke, boxes were knocked down and one even fell into the water.

"Inshallah," muttered Gül. This cow was more trouble than he was worth.

"Sorry, Sorry," said Seker, bowing three times consecutively.

"Zeynep is already supposed to be here," said Gül, ignoring Seker's apology. "Stupid Hatun-"

The sound of approaching horses interrupted what he was going to say.

A carriage approached and Gül raised his hands to the sky.

"Thank you, great Allah!"

The litter stopped and Zeynep stepped out with Şehzade Bayezid, followed by a red-eyed Mirhimah Sultan who was holding Şehzade Selim's hand. Esma came out next with Şehzade Changir bundled in her arms.

He and Zeynep had raided the pharmacy, taking all ingredients and even bottles of the all healing syrups. Zeynep also had written down the ingredients for the medicine but she refused to tell Gül where she hid it.

They would have enough medicine for the little Şehzade throughout their journey and even for after.
His Sultana and Şehzade Mehmed were the last to come out the litter.
His Sultana's eyes were red and her hand gripped onto Şehzade Mehmed arm was tight.

Gül bowed to her, "Sultana,"

His Sultana opened her eyes, then turned to Gül, "What are Sumbul and Seker doing here?"

"Sultana-"

"Gulnihal?"

"Sultana-" he said with a small smile, " You have more friends than you realised,"

She nodded tiredly, "I wish I could reward you all,"

"No need, Sultana," said Sumbul walking over to her, "we just need you and our Şehzades and little Sultana safe,"

He ushered them over to the ship.

After they were settled, Nigar went to tell the Captain they were ready to sail.
Gül knocked on the door of the cabin.

"Come in, " said his Sultana.

He entered to see her sitting on the settee, watching through the window.
The Şehzades and little Sultana were asleep on the bed. Şehzade Changir was in his cradle, an exhausted Esma was sitting against it asleep.

"I came to Istanbul with nothing and I left with nothing,' said Sultana. "How will I provide for my children, how will I provide for my servants?"

"I serve a rich Sultana!" exclaimed Gül.

"I have nothing Gül Aga, just the clothes on my back, stop speaking foolishness,"

"Sultana of Sultanas, trust your servant Gül," he said, " Come with me, Sultana,"

"I have no time for your foolish games Gül Aga," she said angrily standing up.

"Please, Sultana!" he pleaded.

Hurrem eyed him. Grief was set in her eyes but he hoped to bring her joy.

"Gül this better not be one of your games," she said reluctantly.

She followed him out the cabin, he fished a key out of his stash and opened the door right next to her cabin.

He opened the door, ushering her inside.

On the floor sat Sumbul and Zeynep with a table between them counting money. Around the cabin there were chests and pots of gold.

"Where did you get this?" She said faintly.

"Some of it is your personal wealth Sultana, we had it moved as soon as you began your plan to escape Sultana," said Zeynep. "The rest is Ibrahim Pasha own,"

"Thief, he was Inshallah," added Sumbul.

Sultana began to laugh, pulling him into a hug. Tears were running down her face by the time she let him go.

"Sultana don't worry, Mahidevran the snake and Ibrahim Pasha ass is going to be in an uproar, no chef, no head eunuch and no money, the order of the harem is finished. Disaster!"

Hurrem laughed for the first time in 4 days. It was musical, but if you listened closely, you could hear the grief underneath it.

________________________________________

Author's Note

Hi everyone!!!

First I want to thank everyone who read this story. I am excited and also nervous about this because this story is ambitious as they come.

This is Alternate History at its best tied in with Fanfiction.

I promise that you will won't regret reading this!!!

Index:

Anne- Mummy/Mum

Valide- Mother (formal)

Hatun- Lady

Heaski Sultan- Consort of the Sultan. Usually his legal wife. Hurrem was the first woman to ever hold this title.

Inshallah- 'God Willing' usually used as an exclamation.

Also please vote or comment. I love feedback!!!