The Royal Family Departs For Israel
1000 Words
King Xerxes POV
The beautiful morning sun shone throughout my bedroom. I turned towards my wife, she had a gorgeous glow about her. She rarely sleeps in my chambers, although for a week she has. I got out of bed and walked onto the balcony overlooking the garden. My thoughts were on Hadassah, had she ever been to Jerusalem? Would she like to visit her homeland? I had heard many years ago that young Jews were going by caravan there. That was also when the edict of every young woman and man were to be rounded up. I still cannot believe she hid amongst the other candidates so well yet stood out. She truly is amazing and I'm thankful to have her.
I felt arms wrap around me and her familiar scent, vanilla mixed with myrrh.
"My love did I wake you?" I asked her.
She did not answer just nuzzled my back. I placed my hand on top of hers lovingly. She has been very affectionate lately.
"Hadassah are you alright? What troubles you?" I asked her pulling her around my body.
"Xerxes I am fine, I just miss my uncle dearly. A few years ago before being brought to the palace I was heading to Jerusalem with Jesse, whom you call Hatach." She spoke and seemed slightly depressed.
"Would you like to go, my queen?" I asked her.
She looked up at me surprised. I think she wasn't expecting that answer.
"Oh yes Xerxes I would love that, but I am queen and cannot venture alone." She answered quoting protocol.
I saw her eyes light up so I figured we could make the trip as a family.
"Suppose my lady, Benjamin and I accompanied you on this journey?" I asked expectantly.
"You mean that? We can really go to Jerusalem?" She asked hopeful.
I turned to Hegai and said, "Send for Memucan. I need to issue instructions for him as my reagent."
When I turned back to Hadassah she was jumping up and down with joy. Gosh I love this beautiful girl.
"Oh my love you are the best. I will inform Benjamin. Thank you love, thank you." She said kissing me repeatedly.
With that she ran out of my chambers completely overjoyed. Soon Hegai and Memucan returned.
"You sent for me, my lord?" Memucan spoke approaching me.
"Memucan, I am taking my family to Jerusalem and need you to watch over my empire in my absence." I spoke to the man I trust most. He was my father's right hand during his reign.
"As you wish Xerxes but please be careful. I advise you to take Hegai with you and the trained Immortals." He replied.
After I finished my instructions and everything was packed, I went towards Hadassah's chambers. She had just placed what I believe was her uncle's necklace in her bag. Benjamin was with her.
"Are we ready to depart my loves?" I asked while leaning against the doorframe.
"Yes Father, I believe Mother and I are ready. I am excited to learn about my Jewish even more so." Benjamin spoke.
He knew all about my heritage and how it originated but not his mother's. This trip would benefit him as well, make him a well rounded king. I knew Esther couldn't be more proud.
"Then let us depart our liter is waiting outside." I answered and escorted my family towards our rather large royal caravan.
"I cannot wait to see my homeland, I have never been there. They say the glory of God rests their like an intimate embrace of a husband and wife. Who would have thought my eyes will see what I wished to see many years ago?" Hadassah spoke. She really was excited to see her origins and share them with us.
As the night drew near we were just a few hours outside of the border of Israel. My family was asleep, as we stopped to make camp for the night. Of course they slept within my tent.
Around midnight I stepped outside my tent into the night air. I looked up at the beautiful stars. I felt like less of a king out here, just a man. I knew this journey would bring my wife and I closer. I would know who she really was, and have the honor of a king.
As I watched the stars, my wife appeared beside me. "My love it is late please get some sleep." She said while grabbing my hand.
I allowed her to lead me back into the tent. I layed beside and drifted to sleep.
Esther POV
As the early morning sun rose we packed up camp and continued on our journey. I was filled with excitement the closer we got to Israel. Surrounded by the Immortals our royal procession paraded through the streets of neighboring cities.
By midday we had reached the walls of Jerusalem. Our procession stopped. My heart filled with joy, for I Hadassah had safely made it home.
If only Mordecai and Rebecca were here with us.
I offered up a silent prayer as the sun began to set on such an amazing day. Tomorrow I would enter the land I had so much about. Tomorrow I would be able to stand in the temple in the presence of God. Tomorrow Xerxes and Benjamin would know who I was, while I danced in the streets. Everything would be different. I silently wept at those joyous thoughts. I wouldn't be Queen Esther of Persia in a few hours. Israel was outside our borders and that's why to me it was so important to teach Benjamin about this because it needed to stay that way. Remain a place of refuge and peace.
I entered my tent with my loves for the last time until we departed for Susa as queen. I kissed both of them on their foreheads before laying beside them drifting into peaceful slumber. An ever present smile upon my face and down in my heart.
- Writer
