She made a face and said, "But, it's so quiet, dark and eerie!"

"Please trust me! This place is safe!"

They dismounted and Ohgee tied the horses to a pole and unsaddled them. He carried the horse blankets in his arm and extended his other arm to her.

She took his arm and they went into the darkened cave. He lit a torch. Once inside, she saw many murals of Buddha painted on the walls as they went deeper into the cave. Goose pimples formed on her skin. They passed many chambers until they reached a large chamber with the statue of Lord Buddha seated cross-legged on a large platform, his open palm, one on top the other, on his lap.

Ohgee lit a few torches and the chamber had an eerie glow. He lit an oil lamp in front of the deity and told her to follow him. He knelt and bowed to the image of Buddha. She followed his example.

"Oh gracious and almighty Lord Buddha, we are here to ask your blessings for our marriage. You have brought us together and had tested me by making me wait for her for so long. I want her to be my wife because I love her. Please grant me this wish." Ohgee gazed at her and smiled.

GoldenFlower glanced at him and grinned. She looked up at the deity and spoke, "Lord Buddha, we had saved each other from death. I believe we are destined to be together for life. I love him and want to be his wife."

They ended their prayer by clapping their hands three times, turned to look at each other and grinned. With twinkles in her eyes, she asked him, "now... what's next?"

"We make love!"

"What? You mean here? This is a holy site!" She appeared lost at his request.

"What better place to consummate our marriage than in front of the Lord Buddha in this holy place!" he replied and started to lay the blanket on the ground.

Ohgee began to undress. She saw him remove his clothes and apprehensively followed suit, all the while, glancing up at the divinity as if asking for approval. She couldn't help herself from shivering. When they were naked, he slowly approached her and held her waist as his lips found hers. Her arms hooked around his neck and she took his kiss deeper while she pressed her shivering body against him.

They broke off the kiss. He led her to the blanket and they lay down on their sides, their eyes appraising each other's face in the semi-darkness of the cave. They held their partner's head firmly and their lips touched once more. Their eyes closed and their hearts began to pound hard. Soon, they were wiggling and grinding wildly against each other. Their wandering hands found their partner was more than ready and willing.

She no longer cared that she was making out in the temple. Her thoughts were only to bear him a child. Even in the coolness of the cave, her body was hot for him.

He was beyond holding back. He had waited for this moment far too long.

She moaned her delight when he pinned her down and invaded her eager body. His monstrous intruder felt like he had split her apart. Yet, she held him tightly in this moment of holy union, experiencing the joy of total surrender. Yes, she had submitted herself to his love. Her arms and legs urgently encouraged her lover to proceed.

Ohgee began to slowly plough into her, rubbing places deep inside her body that would soon bring her to heaven. Her moans of ecstasy echoed loudly within the large chamber, spurring him to thrust into her harder and faster.

Their actions were primal. They had waited for this moment for a very long time. Only fate had brought them together and they wanted their pleasure without delay, unwilling to forestall their harmonious moments any longer.

When his time of extreme bliss came, he grunted loudly, held her head tightly, shoved all he had into her and pumped her full of his life giving juice. His gift was so voluminous that it oozed from her orifice. He had not been with a woman for a very long time.

GoldenFlower followed his climax with her own earth shattering bliss. Her body shuddered beneath him as she milked him for more. Her limbs held him tightly as her pelvis pressed against him, wanting more of him deep inside her body. She hungered for his baby and knew he could make her wish come true.

Before he could disengage from her, she used her internal muscles and quickly made him hard again. She couldn't get enough of him and wanted more gratification. He was surprised to find that he could recover so quickly and continued to make her happy. This time, their love making was more passionate and they slowly fulfilled each other's need for blissful conclusion.

~*~

Three days later...

As the convoy journeyed to Turfan, Ohgee told GoldenFlower that the Chinese referred his city as HuoZhou, meaning 'a place as hot as fire'. In his own Uygor language, Turpan meant 'the lowest place' since it is one li below sea level. The Turks called his city Turpan also, but meant, 'the fertile land'. The Silk Road passed his city and Turfan's market place had everything you would want to buy from the West as well as from the East.

They passed many farms; their land was covered with rows of grape vines. Some farmers were drying their grapes to make raisins. Some also grew vegetables. Their water came from the Karez Underground Water System that was developed through many generations. The whole Turfan valley was fertile and GoldenFlower saw the farmers were waving at them happily when they passed by. One farmer gave her a bunch of grapes and when she tasted one, her face scrunched up because it was so juicy and sweet.

At last, they reached a large walled compound. Ohgee announced, "welcome to my home!"

MorningBird and KindHeart had heard news of their impending arrival days ago. They rushed out to meet her as she dismounted from her horse in front of the palace stairway. MorningBird knelt in front of GoldenFlower, bowed and said, "Oh mistress! I thought I'd never see you again. I'm so happy to see you alive!"

"For that, you'll have to thank my prince," she replied and smiled at her maid, motioning to her to rise.

Master KindHeart gazed at Ohgee and spoke, "Thank you for saving our Lady!"

"I'll only save the ones I love." Ohgee smiled back at him. KindHeart didn't catch that he had used 'ones' - plural!

King Zajkor Barakhan came out with Ohgee's elder brother and stood at the top of the stairs. The king spoke, "son, I see you have brought back a living treasure!"

Then, gazing at GoldenFlower he smiled broadly and said, "welcome to my humble palace!"

"Thank you Father!" she replied.

"Father?" the king stared at his son, "you mean you two are married?"

"Yes Father. I took her to the 1000 Buddha Cave Temple and we pledged our marriage vows there." Ohgee replied.

"I want you two to have a proper marriage in my palace." The king looked at his eldest son and said, "Go and help your younger brother prepare for a grand wedding befitting a prince."

~*~

18th day, 6th month, year of the Monkey - Turfan

Lady Waterlily, MorningBird, GentleBreeze, BeautifulFern and SweetFruit were doting on GoldenFlower in her bedchamber, telling her how beautiful she looked in her colourful Uygor wedding costume provided by the King. Unlike the Chinese custom, she didn't have to cover her beautiful face.

Governor FlamingDragon was with King Zajkor, Prince Ohgee and his elder brother, joking about old times. The governor's trip was done in secret and he didn't want either Emperor HeavenlySky or Lord Jujur to know about his presence in Turfan.

The whole city of Turfan was gaily decorated and its citizens were already having a gala time dancing, and celebrating with wine and food. It was proclaimed a holiday and all shops, except food and drink outlets, were closed.

When the time for the wedding ceremony came, the family members assembled in the visitor's hall of the palace. The newlyweds knelt in front of the Ohgee's ancestors praying to them silently whilst the King, Queen, his eldest son and his wife, sat on the dais on one side whilst the governor and Waterlily sat across them on the other side.

A buddhist monk stood in front of the newlyweds, chanting and sprinkling holy water, blessing their union.

The Tea Ceremony began with the newlyweds serving to the King and Queen, then to the elder prince. Then, they turned and served the governor and his wife. They were so happy for their daughter marrying her true love!

~*~

Epilogue

6th day, 3rd month, year of the Rooster - JaiYu Pass

Noon, Hour of the Horse...

JaiYu Pass was the western entrance into the Middle Kingdom for the Silk Road. The Great Wall began at this spot in the west and stretched to ShanHai Pass on the eastern shores of China. A large fort, fully garrisoned by soldiers throughout the Ming period, guarded this important gateway.

The climate was extreme. It was hot during the day, with hardly any clouds to shade, and cold during the night. If it rained, the soldiers stationed inside would celebrate because it was a rare occurrence. Water could be obtained through wells.

In the tower castle of the West Gate, Emperor HeavenlySky and his Minister of War, General Shu, stood waiting impatiently for the arrival of Princess GoldenFlower. From the top of the tower, they looked westward for any sign of approaching travellers.

GoldenFlower reasoned with Ohgee that she could not hide for long from the emperor. It would be better to face him and ask for his approval and forgiveness. A letter was sent to the emperor for a meeting and he had agreed to this venue and time.

A moment later, a convoy of mounted Turfan soldiers approached from the west, escorting a carriage. They stopped a short distance from the gate. GoldenFlower alighted from her carriage, carrying a baby. She was dressed in colourful Uygor female attire; more appropriate for hot and dry weather conditions. Her four maids, dressed in Ming period women's clothing, knelt behind her. Prince Ohgee, wearing a Turfan soldier's uniform, dismounted and stood beside her, occasionally glancing at the baby. From afar, GoldenFlower could see that the emperor had aged considerably and his hair had turned white.

Ming soldiers quickly formed a line at the entrance of the West Gate. The emperor and his general walked out to receive them. General Shu got down on one knee and bowed to the princess. GoldenFlower handed her baby to Ohgee, walked towards the emperor, knelt and bowed.

The emperor approached her and motioned her to rise. For the first time in two years, he saw her beautiful face again and tears swelled in his eyes. "I thought I'd lost you. I'm so happy to see you again." He smiled. "You've put on some weight!"

"Thank you, Your Highness. I've recently given birth and I now look a bit plump. I'm alive today because of that man who is holding my baby." She pointed to Ohgee. "I hope you'll grant me a wish."

"Go on. Ask me." The emperor said. He had inkling what her wish would be.

"I love you, Your Highness, but I wish to be the wife of Ohgee, the prince of the Kingdom of Turfan. My heart and happiness are with him. We live a much simpler and carefree life than in the Forbidden City. I want this way of life. Your Highness, I desire your approval," she replied.

"I still love you and it's very difficult for me to let you go. Besides, you're destined for greatness as my Empress. I owe you that." The emperor gazed at her beautiful eyes and tried to smile. He held her hands in his like a glove, unwilling to let her go.

"Your Highness, my love... Empress BeautifulMoon is a beautiful woman. Her qualities as your Empress are better than mine. I know it. Your Highness, she loves you very much. You may not realize it, but the short time I had spent with her, I could sense it. She's one of the reasons I sacrificed for my country. You need to rekindle your love for her and you'll find that she is a greater person than me." Her sad eyes fixed at his while she gave him a broad smile.

Realizing that his consent was not so easy in coming, she continued, "Your Highness, my love... I've lived with the Mongols in fear of death. Somehow, they knew of your plans. It was not easy to keep up the charade, knowing that the next day could be my last day on this beautiful Earth. When the blade of the executioner's knife was on my neck, I prayed that my death would be quick." She paused and saw that he was sad and speechless.

"It took plenty of courage and wit for that man, who is the father of my baby, to come and rescue me. When he was in Xian, I saved him from execution. He repaid me by saving me. The first time I saw him, I fell in love with him but I couldn't marry him because I was chosen to be the consort of the Crown Prince. Now, I beg you to grant me my freedom. Please... Your Highness!"

The emperor glanced at the man holding the baby and returned his gazed to her. He saw in her glassy eyes the craving for her own happiness. It was not that she did not love him; she loved the other person more, much more! He felt envious but managed to suppress his sadness of losing her.

"The Middle Kingdom owes you more than you think. You had done more for the country than was demanded from you. I cannot ask you to sacrifice your happiness any further. Your wish is granted!" He paused and saw a grin appear on her face. He smiled then continued, "I want you to grant me one wish!"

"Anything, Your Highness," she happily replied, her face glowing, delighted that the emperor had given her freedom.

"I want to see your baby," the emperor whispered.

GoldenFlower's smile broadened and she waved excitedly to Ohgee to approach.

When the prince was three paces away, he bowed and addressed the emperor, "Your Highness."

"You are a very lucky man to have this beautiful lady. Please take good care of her."

"I know and I will cherish her, Your Highness!" Ohgee smiled.

The emperor approached him, gazed at her baby and grinned. He asked Ohgee, "boy or girl?"

"Girl, Your Highness," he replied.

The emperor waved to General Shu to approach. The three of them crowd around the proud and happy father, admiring the baby. The little one looked wide eyed at all of them and gave a toothless smile. She had her mother's enchanting eyes!

~*~

Nine months earlier, after a week of bloody battle, the combined army of half a million Chinese men and their hundred thousand strong allies, overwhelmed the Mongols and destroyed Karakorum by burning it to the ground. Lord Jujur, his family and most of the council elders were killed. The remaining Mongols were driven north.

The Chinese established an administrative region in Mongolia. The new city of Kuku-Khoto ('The Blue City'), now called Hohhot, was made the temporary capital of Mongolia until Ulaambaatar was constructed later to become the capital of Mongolia.

With the fall of Karakorum and Xanadu, the Mongols were greatly weakened. Without a great leader, they were eventually driven out from the rest of the world.

The emperor made an alliance with the Kingdom of Turfan, later making it a protectorate of the Middle Kingdom. It made good sense for Turfan to have China as their guardian. Likewise, for the Middle Kingdom, Turfan would be their first line of defence, should there be an attack from the west.

Once a year, a few days before the eve of the lunar New Year, GoldenFlower and Ohgee would journey to Xian for a family reunion. Her maids and KindHeart would be delighted to be in Xian, away from the hot and dry climate of Turfan.

~ The End ~