just a tiny goodbye gift for bee - still ehhh at this graphic design thing, but wanted to do a lil something ! stole the book idea from dr. danji, of course
Hamama, meaning dove in Arabic, was bestowed upon Hürrem by her people, as a token of affection for her grace, beauty, and ability to bring forth peace. Her legacy was undervalued for periods of time, but was brought to light by the loving hand of Historian Bee, whose gift for language and endless love, made her an unforgettable figure. Her contributions to the Crowns saga remain as timeless as the woman she loved.
love you bee. the eve to my villanelle, it is an honour to write beside you.
IT HAD BEEN SOME MONTHS SINCE THEY HAD SAID THEIR GOODBYES. news of the peace talks which would be held in portugal hadn’t reached hurrem until her arrival into constantinople to celebrate the marriage of her niece and, though she was most excited to be reunited with her osman kin, it made it clear that she would not return home to cordoba or be reunited with her husband or their children until she would set sail for portugal for it made most sense in the name of safety that she travel along side the sultan. words of emotion and of the heart were poured out onto parchment and sent across the seas but that was as close as she had been to her spouse for so long; TOO long, in truth.
ottoman fabrics which varied in detail and colour - all chosen by the emira herself - were laid out upon the furnature within the emir’s chambers by hurrem’s own careful hands. she had ordered the servants’ silence and requested a message be sent to hisham to inform him that a gift had been delivered to his chambers by an anonymous guest with no further information that might give away her identitiy. and so she waited. adjusting furnature to her own liking, making sure a healthy amount of light poured into the room so that the fabrics which she laid out upon chairs, a couch, a desk and the bed could be seen in all their beautiful glory. hurrem remained extremely busy, it was only when she came to a stop at the sound of the doors opening that she realised her haste was out of pure EXCITEMENT to be reunited with her husband once more.
Seated in places commanding a good view of the vast and dazzling hall, Jianjun longed for a better alcohol to fill his goblet. Cordoba’s great lady was beside him, her cup dry per custom – he hoped his rejection of his own, would be taken as a homage of respect. Foreigners, even if they are the most ungraceful creatures in their native land, possess the art of appearing graceful, when presented in a new court. Jianjun did not know if all the women were truly beautiful, but they were simply perfect. With one of these foreign beauties, Jianjun had the honour and rapture to be acquainted with - Hurrem, a mark for all eyes, offered him illustrious language, entreating him a low voice. There was no question, of Hurrem’s beauty ; she was quite proof, of the Ottoman’s magnetic influence. “For the love of the West’s sacred heaven, I may not stand another ballad that commands the gentlemen in green to move with such a stubborn aversion to rhythm.“ He was an English Duke perhaps - shunning custom and the many eyes attached to his display, he whirled his partner in a fashion that even Jianjun, entirely unfamiliar with Portuguese dance, could discern his foolery.” The Consort’s eye, though it to beheld the fool, contained pity, goodness, sweet sympathy — she not merely a sovereign, but a lady. “I cannot think to count the amount of inquires into your liking of Portugal, you have certainly answered thus far; I wish to provide you with conversation that strays from the pack, but I fail to produce language worthy of your attention. Cheerful society is always pleasant, but I know your faculties are built for greater. Shall we speak of alliance, or trade, instead?”
HOW MANY REPEATED CONVERSATIONS would there be before the night were over? politeness danced upon tongues of varied origins but each one lacked in genuine care or intrigue, asking simply to fill the silence of an awkward meeting or for the sake of appearences. many were the faces of those she had met previously - be it during her time in florence or upon passing at the emir’s court - but the one which intrigued her the most belonged to a stranger; one whom spoke plainly and with an honesty that she could admire. “ unfortunately such ballads are ENJOYED here, it would seem, though not by his dishevelled partner it would seem. ” hurrem smiled out of amusement though she held pity in her heart for the woman with whom the man danced, she surely felt the eyes of many upon her and yet her partner continued on. “ with such a question you already have my attention. this is the time and place for talks of friendship, is it not? i do not pledge allegience to this pope but i agree that peace can only benefit us all; is that what you come here to seek? peace and friendship? how grand the trade routes would be. ”
location : the iberian pageant, lisbon, portugal
timestamp : june nineteenth, 1458
status : closed to @hurrcm
The journey to Lisbon had been long… but at least it had been safe. For her first time adventuring from the safe haven of the harem, Mihrimah had found herself yet to be uncovered by the safety net — but bless the o’great Sultan Iskender for securing his family, for keeping each member close to his heart. Mihrimah knew she should’ve been grateful for such security — but oh, how she craved adventure. Still hidden from the amasses within the confinds of their chosen residence, Mihrimah moved to her aunt’s side — her eyes wide, as if life itself would pass with the mere blink of her lids. “Dear teyze, what should I expect?” She asked, her chest heavy with her heart that seemed to stretch her this way and that. “What should I expect from this place?”
HURREM REMEMBERED THE FEAR, arriving in a strange land with no idea what to expect except for the judgement you will no doubt face at the hands of those who do not understand you and never will. hurrem had done the same when she arrived in her husband’s home as a young wife, newly plucked from the sultan’s harem without any idea what she had yet to face. though she knew that her niece was a survivor, she had the valide’s blood rushing through her veins, so at first she couldn’t help but smile at mihrimah’s hesitance and clear concern, but still she sought the younger woman’s hand to tuck safely within her own. “ brave girl, expect ADVENTURE. you have the protection of your father, the sultan, and and of cordoba, it is not so often we have the opportunity to see places such as this and so you must enjoy it. you trust that i would not allow any harm to come to you, do you not? ”
MERYEM UZERLI, FORTY TWO, HURREM SULTAN. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the CONSORT OF CORDOBA, HURREM OF THE OSMAN, from THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE. they are at best HIGHLY EDUCATED, and at their worst MENACING. whilst abroad, their ambition is to DEFEND CORDOBA’S POSITION AND GAIN ALLIES. SHE seems to remind everyone of MERYEM UZERLI & A LIONESS LYING IN WAIT, DISTANT DRUMS OF WAR & THE UNRAVELLING OF A GRAND SAIL. ❞ penned by BEE; GMT, SHE/HER, 24.
introduction
Choose two of four prompts to answer. Each response must be a minimum of 150 words and reflect understanding of both the character and surrounding plots.
What are some potential plotlines you are interested in pursuing?
the bond between cordoba and the ottoman empire is a complex one, though none feel it more so than hurrem. between her husband and her brother she is continuously torn as to where her loyalties should be placed or where her heart should reside; with her childhood home and family or with her husband and the family they have begun together. i would like to explore this conflict further and put hurrem’s loyalties to the test.
i would also like to explore anything of a political nature, now that they are meeting on soil so close to her home in cordoba there are many potential allies and enemies on the horizon, now is a better time than any for her to branch out amongst the western nations in favour of cordoba. in regards to the ottoman empire, she still feels as though she exists as a ambassador for the sultan and knows that she is the closest thing that the empire has to a permanent representative in europe, a strong example must be made at all times.
Expand on this character’s connections with two other roles:
sultan iskender of the ottoman empire - the deepest and most long-standing connection for hurrem comes in the form of her brother; sultan iskender of the ottoman empire. Their bond as brother and sister has survived decades of distance and separation, positions of power only having brought them closer thus far, and it comes to a surprise to many that they are not in fact twins. as a child, hurrem often boasted of her closeness their new sultan and as she grew up she never shied away of talks of politics, becoming both a comfort and a confidante to her brother just as he has to her. theirs is a bond which has never faltered, not even under the crippling pressure of world politics.
emir hisham of cordoba - in contrast to that of hurrem and her brother, her relationship with her husband has been known to change like the seasons. though time had brought them closer, the loss of children caused hurrem to return to the physically distant young woman she had been when they were first wed. in terms of politics, she has stood by his side, when threats arrived at their door, she rode on campaign and, in time, her affections gradually returned but with great caution.
three bullet-points.
as a child hurrem truly lived up to her given name, she was her father’s joy and always presented herself as a truly energetic young girl within the harem. growing up she enjoyed her studies greatly but none more so than those which taught her of her ancestors. she would dream of the sultans and sultanas who came before her, admiring her mother for the strong-minded woman she was, whilst also remaining close to her brother with the firm belief that he was soon to be great just as they were. she has always been extremely family-oriented though she has been known in the past to be distant to her half-siblings, heavily favouring iskender over them and still continues to do so to this day.
when the time came for hurrem to leave the harem and enter married life she felt extremely ready. it was what she had been raised for, a fact which her mother would make certain she was aware, and being in the harem to witness the hierarchy of women and the actions of her mother as valide sultan certainly prepared her for such a task. she has since been a fierce and loyal wife, both in the home and upon the world stage where she has proven herself to be of a strong, political mind but also a force of nature when threatened. in her many years of marriage and between battles and war, god has gifted hurrem with five pregnancies; two came to an end before birth, one caught a sickness at a young age and two have flourished to become her pride and joys in this cruel world. in many ways she fears becoming as cold and calculated as her mother but, in truth, she also thinks that may be what she needs to do in order to save those she loves most.
when the time came to travel to portugal, hurrem was residing with her family in the ottoman empire after celebrating the marriage of her niece. she feels great reluctance to enter into such foolishness after the way the events in florence came to a head, but she will play along. an alliance with catholic nations is surely the last piece cordoba needs to hold a secure future for its people, to allow them to thrive without fear of yet another ruler being overthrown, but hurrem holds no illusions that it will be easy or that she will be well received. not only is she an ottoman and a muslim, but her husband being a conqueror is certain to have rubbed many the wrong way and for this she doesn’t expect to make friends easily. if at all.
thirdconsort asked:
☾ What is their favorite and least favorite thing about the night?
the nights bring a welcome respite from the day’s heat and politics, a time to be with one’s family before retiring to the comfort and SAFETY of one’s own chambers. the evenings within her brother’s harem were always filled with merriment, food and music, for the valide sultan may not have been the most loving or gentle of mothers, but she certainly knew how to entertain the women in her care. to make the harem into a court of her own. in contrast, the nights now often bring time to dwell once all becomes quiet. it is during such hours where hurrem will find her heart LONGING for home, for her brother and the kingdom she knew better than herself. for two decades she has resided within cordoba and the arms of it’s emir, but her heart still calls for her homeland in the dead of each night.
Send a symbol for a headcanon about my muse. All horror/angst/scifi related.
✘ Have they ever committed a murder?
▼ What is their greatest fear?
✿ Would they ever trust dark or wicked magic?
△ Name one thing from their past that they regret.
✂ If they had to choose one weapon to carry forever, what would it be?
☣ Would they kill someone close to them if they had to?
☢ Would they survive an apocalyptic situation?
❣ If someone had the power to bring them back after death, would they want them to?
☠ Do they fear death?
♱ What do they think awaits them after death?
¿ Are they easily frightened?
╳ How would they react to seeing a loved one become possessed?
☹ Name one person they would kill for.
☼ If they had the choice to be immortal with one other person, who would they choose?
☎ How would they react to being contacted by a deceased love one?
★ Do they have a favorite scary story?
♣ Do they believe the world is made up of good and evil?
♥ Have they ever acting out of heartlessness?
☾ What is their favorite and least favorite thing about the night?
ψ Do they think they deserve punishment for their wrongdoings?
ϟ Have they ever gotten pleasure from causing others pain?
♚ Do they consider themselves to be evil?
♒ If they could choose how to die, how would they want to go?
™ Are they possessive?
✔ Are they holding a grudge against anyone?
◯ Do they believe in ghosts?
✦ Who is their favorite villain?
웃 Do they believe in aliens?
it seemed her condition, if it could even be called that, had gotten out. nehir had come and spoken to her, that wasn’t a surprised but what was a surprise was her husband’s sister to come and speak to her.
the other was in for a treat as she had bathed, her ladies finally forcing her body into a tub of warm water, her hair was still drying when the other came into her chambers. she bite her lip, she motioned to the nurse. “i am not too alone, i have my son and his nurse,” she returned but her voice was so soft and fragile.
“ AN INFANT and a nurse do not make company, you have no choice but to allow them in. ” hurrem remembered the state in which she had found the newest mother of one of her brother’s many children, the chaos of the riots and the rage which plagued her at the harm brought to her niece had set hurrem’s senses alight and seemingly burned the image of the DISTRAUGHT branimira to memory, but the concept of wallowing in the wake of such an event was entirely foreign to her and so she lacked the understanding of why the younger woman held herself away thus. “ you have heard what has happened, no? your time to mend the alliance between your kin and your sultan is here but is disappearing quickly, you must not hide yourself in this way. ”
Hisham was sorry, for after all this amiability and good feeling he had espoused, he had been reduced to a vengeful demon. Yet he had little option but to react to his advisors murder with the severest hand; his reputation was predicated on his ability, to make those who had spat on Cordoba, regret their course of actions. The riots had strained every aspect of Hisham’s life, leaving him irritable and uneasy. To avoid quarrelling with his party, Hisham withdrew to his chambers, when not accosting the leaders of Florence in the numerous audiences requested. There he sat that day, in a silent hour of study, the pot of tea before him untouched. The door opened; in lieu of the sound of footsteps accosting his ears and dominating his person, he welcomed the little pitter patter of feet, with a resigned smile. Resigned to the knowledge their company would bring him a sliver of joy; though nervous, his irritability would be felt by the person he adored the most. “My love - have you come to retrieve me for supper? Or to lament you have lost me to moodiness once more?”
THE THREAT OF THE RIOTERS WAS LONG FORGOTTEN, the blood of the wounded had been cleaned from florentine streets, and yet the spark ignited by the death of one of their own was growing in strength and threatened to reach the gunpower at the end which would launch them into war. ANOTHER war. though conflict had once been the norm for hurrem during her time as husham’s wife, she had grown fond and terrifyingly used to this comfortable bliss in which they had currently found themselves within. after the years of war and politics, the emir and his emira had finally found middle ground on which they were able to learn of one another and please each other without fear conflict would pull them aside once more, though she was not ANGERED that this was exactly what had happened; she was angered at HERSELF for submitting so carelessly to their shared bliss. for allowing herself to be dragged from his warmth without warning. yet she was still drawn to his side, making her quiet entrance into his chambers without announcement until she stood before her husband where he sat in his shadowy solitude. a hand sought his own as she knelt at his feet, lips seeking to press a kiss upon his knuckles before she pressed the back of his palm against her forehead. “ i have come seeking to join you in your moodiness for you forget it was this state in which i have known you the longest, though i cannot lose you if i commit to FOLLOWING you wherever. what can i do to ease your burden? allow me to carry some of the weight. ”
IT HAD BEEN DAYS and yet the sickness plaguing the pit of hurrem’s stomach only grew heavier and began to twist with guilt. the aftermath of the riots had calmed within the city streets and yet the political climate darkened by the day, keeping hurrem caught up in the whirlwind of it all and making it impossible for her to call upon her sultan and brother until some days later. she requested - no, DEMANDED - to see iskender even if a time of political turmoil should not concern her due to her sex, she informed those in her way that she wouldn’t leave the palazzo until she was permitted to address the sultan directly and soon faced little objection before being led to his location and announced.
she waited until the doors closed behind her to allow her walls to CRUMBLE down around her, loosening her niqab to fall to one side, revealing a paled and grief-stricken expression, as she fell to her knees for the first time before the man whom was both of her blood and her leader. “ oh my brother - my SULTAN! ” clear distress laced hurrem’s voice as she cradled her face in her hands whilst the cloud above her head seemingly darkened and brought its raindrops to her eyes. “ our sweet sultana - sweet melek - she would not have been in harm’s way had i not assured her all would be well. i BESEECH your forgiveness though i know not if i am deserving of it. ”
IT WAS NOT HER DUTY to care for the women of her brother’s harem, she herself was no longer part of it and had not been for some time, but hurrem knew that her mother would not care for such a threat looming over them nor would she accept one woman locking herself away from others without inserting herself into the situation. their valide sultan may not have been the most CARING of figures, but she was a stern and constant figure within the harem which they now lacked whilst she was not with them. upon arrival outside branimira’s rooms, she allowed the servent on the door to knock and announce her presence before entering.
“ i am told you have been unwell, branimira sultan, do you require anything? why do you spend your time alone? ”
“It would be of some difficulty for you to properly take stock of the hearts you have swayed, would it not? But take comfort, in certain knowledge I am forever in that number.” Hisham marvelled at this transformation; formerly, he would have recoiled from vocalising notions so overtly romantic, drenched in sweetness - words that poets would denote too flowery. But he spoke with veracity and freedom to his wife - a concept he had never deemed to be worth considering, yet alone dreaming for. “If I have twice the layers of a great man - do you wish to flatter me into believing I transcend into a higher status? The little man in me craves this distinction. I cannot disdain you for the estimation you once held of me, for coldness and violence were my way of life. I cared and considered little else - shameful as it may be, I will not feed you false stories about my former frame of mind. In turn, I found you to be the most beautiful woman I had encountered in my conquests; I longed for you in my bed, but did not fathom the partnership we would forge. That I would find no other to equal me in this world - man, woman or child, no other shall Stand by my side. I was both elated by your stubbornness and angered by it; what woman had regarded me with such obstinance? None. You were as arresting as you were infuriating- thank allah, I was blessed with you as a wife. I would not have half my riches, if it were not with you faithfully by my side.” As he eulogised the birth of their love, his embrace deepened. The warmth of her frame against him brought him comfort beyond the physical; he prized her in his arms, swathe with his chest like a babe - safe, treasured. Her cheek nuzzled his own, and his eyelids fluttered shut - to render the world mute, and the only sensation that dominated his person, was her skin against his. “The youth of Europe lack character and moral fibre….they know little of filial piety and religion. I squirm at the thought of our children coupling with them, but alas; we are bettered by the unions. I pray they receive the same joy I have enjoyed in our union, but I am hesitant my little one - I am selfish, in thinking our love is rare. Who amongst us can boast the same affection, intimacy and partnership? Tire of you? Queen of all the light touches, and mistress of my chambers, I shall never have enough lifetimes to walk astride your favour. Though I shall not dissuade you from your acts of persuasion ….I welcome them, eagerly.”
“ WOULD YOU DO YOURSELF SUCH AN INJUSTICE as to claim you are NOT of a higher status? you have returned an EMPIRE into its rightful hands, championed for our people, and carried the word of allah back to the west; the world will build monuments in your honour for you are TEN TIMES the man these mediocre kings could even wish to be. ” perhaps her words were laced with marital bias but hurrem knew in her heart that the pages of history would prove her right, that he would be remembered by the manner in which she described him for - if she could see it as the stubborn girl she had once been - the world much see it too. “ none could fathom the partnership we have forged for it is designed by the heavens above, i know of no other way to explain it. ” to be seen as EQUAL to one’s husband was no doubt the dream of many women, regardless of their origin or creed, but to be seen as such when that husband was a KING and a CONQUEROR was quite something and it would be a great lie to say such sentiment was not music to hurrem’s ears. her smile boasted of pride as she leant further into his warmth and closed any gaps that might have dared to separate them. “ i tremble at the thought of our children finding anything less than what we have been blessed with within their own marriages, yet not all can be so fortunate... we have raised them well. they will honour you first and foremost, i know this for none whom were carried in my womb could come into this world without inheriting my adoration for their father. it would be impossible. ” leaning her head so that she might gaze upon him a moment, one hand reluctantly leaving the warmth of his past to rest gently upon his cheek with a smile just as delicate upon her lips. truly, it was a rare side to hurrem that none others were permitted to witness for it was, after so many years, only his. as was her heart. “ i do not like to be too PREDICTABLE. ” she mused, untangling herself from his embrace and used the newfound freedom of her hands to unfasten his kaftan before nimble fingers sought to slide it down his arms and removed it. steps appeared cautious - teasing and playful - as she began to move away, walking slowly backwards with the luxurious fabric which had previously embraced his torso held behind her back. “ you will lay and rest with me until the day or your advisors call, whichever is to be first, and perhaps i might indulge you further. would you ever deny me so? you do not wish for me to TIRE of you, do you, my conqueror? ”
