I tried to write down what little I remembered of a story that once flashed before my eyes. It was written down LONG after the fact not created as a starting point or a framework and it shows.
Nasir, as he is known is traveling French back roads with Balian. They hear Hannah reading a story aloud in English. Neither of them understand English but they sit and watch her. She is expressive with her body language nd fluid with her vocal intonations, reading from a collection of papers. When she stops she asks in halting French if they liked the story.
“I enjoyed listening.” Balian responds. He looks at Nasir who smiles and nods with enthusiasm. “Can you tell me what the story is about?” Balian asks the girl.
The girl explains the former king, Uther is visited by a man who always carried himself like a knight but as a commoner could never be one. Gwaine, who was as loyal to his friend Merlin as he was to Prince Arthur is here to honor Merlin's final request and 'care for our king'. Morganna, the kings daughter has taken the throne and captured, presumably imprisoned Arthur, a true role model for his people..”
“Role model?” Imad asks aloud, to Balian.
“A person you would choose to be like or would want to make proud of you, or both.” The girl explains. “In this story Uther, while he was king, executed even those suspected of the crime of sorcery. Morganna is a witch in the truest sense of the word: vile, dark and self-obsessed. Merlin has a...servant's heart. And has never told anyone he has magic. For fear of losing that person as a friend.” she looks from one friendly face to the other and for a moment goes back to reading her story.
At one point Balian says something to the effect of 'will you finish it for us'. Sasha answers that she does not want to keep them from wherever they are going. After confused and uncertain glances, Nasir smiles slightly and explains to Sasha. “I think what my master means to ask is 'will you come with us, to our home and be our guest for a few days...finishing the story and sharing others that come to mind'.
The girl stammers, in English. “Forgive me, French is not my native language. Some things are instantly recognizable and others get completely lost. Maalik or Mudaris?” Prompting surprise from both men.
“...Closer to Hafiz.” Nasir finally answers.
Resuming French she replies. “It would truly warm my heart to have a chance to cheer yours. And to learn how this beautiful accident came to be.”
Nasir blushes and smiles. “Then let us go.”
“Nasir,” Balian says with a smile. “You do understand that you do not have to walk behind or bow to me in public. I was not...they do not know me as Godfrey's son here in the first place.”
“Nasir.” Hannah says with a soft smile. “May I ask you a fairly personal question?”
“I suppose so.” The man said slowly.
“man hu lak-a?”
“Wait you don't speak French easily but you speak Arabic?” Balian pressed.
“I speak French *easily*.” Hannah corrected him shortly. “But sometimes not *properly*. Because English is my first language and I never even learned its 'proper' use. And there are a few things it's helpful to be able to say when the occasion calls for it, in any language. I...I once dreamed something impossible and the person I was dreaming about taught me to break down walls of communication with 'the other'.” She hung her head, clearly embarrassed and unsure.
“If you believe this is a gift of God, that is all I need to believe you.” Nassir said softly. “Besides, I would be...something worse than a fool...to deny you are helping me understand you.”
"Well, neither question you've asked makes sense to me." Balian said fairly irked. He did not take his eyes off the stranger as he continued his conversation. "Nassir, what exactly is she asking you?"
“She wanted to clarify the word 'master'. She asked if you were my teacher or my owner. Was I learning from you or did I *belong* to you. The second question in French would be qui est à toi (who is yours). Or rather qui est-il pour toi (who is he to you). She just wants to know how I feel about you...apart from whatever my station or position is in regards to you."
"Don't you think you should answer her?" Balian said with an almost impatient humor.
"Al-rafiq." Nassir answered. “And do I assume correctly you know exactly what that means?”
“I think...friends as close as blood...He is dear to you...closer than what 'Sajiq' would say.”
x
Nasir, as he is known is traveling French back roads with Balian. They hear Hannah reading a story aloud in English. Neither of them understand English but they sit and watch her. She is expressive with her body language nd fluid with her vocal intonations, reading from a collection of papers. When she stops she asks in halting French if they liked the story.
“I enjoyed listening.” Balian responds. He looks at Nasir who smiles and nods with enthusiasm. “Can you tell me what the story is about?” Balian asks the girl.
The girl explains the former king, Uther is visited by a man who always carried himself like a knight but as a commoner could never be one. Gwaine, who was as loyal to his friend Merlin as he was to Prince Arthur is here to honor Merlin's final request and 'care for our king'. Morganna, the kings daughter has taken the throne and captured, presumably imprisoned Arthur, a true role model for his people..”
“Role model?” Imad asks aloud, to Balian.
“A person you would choose to be like or would want to make proud of you, or both.” The girl explains. “In this story Uther, while he was king, executed even those suspected of the crime of sorcery. Morganna is a witch in the truest sense of the word: vile, dark and self-obsessed. Merlin has a...servant's heart. And has never told anyone he has magic. For fear of losing that person as a friend.” she looks from one friendly face to the other and for a moment goes back to reading her story.
At one point Balian says something to the effect of 'will you finish it for us'. Sasha answers that she does not want to keep them from wherever they are going. After confused and uncertain glances, Nasir smiles slightly and explains to Sasha. “I think what my master means to ask is 'will you come with us, to our home and be our guest for a few days...finishing the story and sharing others that come to mind'.
The girl stammers, in English. “Forgive me, French is not my native language. Some things are instantly recognizable and others get completely lost. Maalik or Mudaris?” Prompting surprise from both men.
“...Closer to Hafiz.” Nasir finally answers.
Resuming French she replies. “It would truly warm my heart to have a chance to cheer yours. And to learn how this beautiful accident came to be.”
Nasir blushes and smiles. “Then let us go.”
“Nasir,” Balian says with a smile. “You do understand that you do not have to walk behind or bow to me in public. I was not...they do not know me as Godfrey's son here in the first place.”
“Nasir.” Hannah says with a soft smile. “May I ask you a fairly personal question?”
“I suppose so.” The man said slowly.
“man hu lak-a?”
“Wait you don't speak French easily but you speak Arabic?” Balian pressed.
“I speak French *easily*.” Hannah corrected him shortly. “But sometimes not *properly*. Because English is my first language and I never even learned its 'proper' use. And there are a few things it's helpful to be able to say when the occasion calls for it, in any language. I...I once dreamed something impossible and the person I was dreaming about taught me to break down walls of communication with 'the other'.” She hung her head, clearly embarrassed and unsure.
“If you believe this is a gift of God, that is all I need to believe you.” Nassir said softly. “Besides, I would be...something worse than a fool...to deny you are helping me understand you.”
"Well, neither question you've asked makes sense to me." Balian said fairly irked. He did not take his eyes off the stranger as he continued his conversation. "Nassir, what exactly is she asking you?"
“She wanted to clarify the word 'master'. She asked if you were my teacher or my owner. Was I learning from you or did I *belong* to you. The second question in French would be qui est à toi (who is yours). Or rather qui est-il pour toi (who is he to you). She just wants to know how I feel about you...apart from whatever my station or position is in regards to you."
"Don't you think you should answer her?" Balian said with an almost impatient humor.
"Al-rafiq." Nassir answered. “And do I assume correctly you know exactly what that means?”
“I think...friends as close as blood...He is dear to you...closer than what 'Sajiq' would say.”
x
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