Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from The Mummy, or The Mummy Returns. They belong to the wonderfully talented Stephen Sommers and Universal Studios, so please just enjoy!
Author's Note: Akhet is the Egyptian word for the Inundation.
I know this isn't my usual Imhotep/Anck-su-namun story, but my little sis wanted this. So this is for her! I dedicate this to my sis, Vampiryyn!
Chapter One
The akhet was upon the lands of Egypt. The waters of the Nile flooded the crops, saturating them with the minerals needed to bring success to coming harvest. With the slaves from the work camps no longer able to work on the crops, they instead turned their attentions to the erecting of several shrines to their patron god, Osiris, around the city of Thebes. Their pharaoh had never been more pleased. The river's rise was perfect according to the Nilometer. It was apparent that Osiris had been pleased this year with the many offerings that had been bestowed upon him within his temples.
But, none of this seemed to mean anything to at least one occupant of the palace. One lonely girl- No, young woman, sat before a pool, lost in her own thoughts, which flooded her mind like the Nile itself. Her name was Anck-su-namun and she was but twenty akhets old. Her position here in the palace of Pharaoh Seti I was that of a harem girl. She was a lover, an entertainer, a dancer, and a fighter. She was whatever Seti desired… and she loathed it.
Surrounded by other girls, some much older than she, others even younger, she still felt alone even while they filled the room and discussed their daily concerns. There were about thirty of them and their constant chattering was not a welcomed sound to this young woman.
Anck-su-namun's father had given her to the pharaoh as a gift when she had been only fourteen. He had been the leader of one of the twelve tribes of the Med-jai and had been greatly respected by Seti. Her father had wished to show his loyalty and respects by offering up his greatest "treasure:" His eldest and most beautiful daughter. A month later he had been killed by his second in command. Anck-su-namun had never clearly understood why, but with his death, she was thrown into a world of abandonment. Her brothers and sisters lived their own lives outside the city of Thebes, forgetting her completely, and her mother had died in childbirth with her youngest sibling, Anat-Hehet. The baby had passed on into the next life along with their mother, but Anck-su-namun had always remembered the name.
"You look deep in thought," commented one of the girls to her right. Her name was Mariah and she was but a child compared to Anck-su-namun, no more than fifteen and still filled with innocence… if such a thing could be under Seti's reign.
"I am not thinking. I am merely admiring the pool," she came back, her eyes not deterring from the sparkling waters. The girl laughed.
"Well you have certainly fooled me," she said, before turning serious. "You look troubled."
Anck-su-namun felt the urge to escape. She hated being asked personal questions, or any questions for that matter. Where was it Mariah's place? Or anyone's for that matter? There was not a soul within this room she could open up to, or the palace. Being a reclusive creature she knew not what it was like to have a true friend, to have a powerful, binding connection with another person. She dreamt of such a friendship, one built on complete trust that could withstand all obstacles… but she did not think it existed.
"I am going for a walk," she suddenly said to Mariah, rising to her bare feet.
"Alone?" asked the girl with some concern.
"Yes," replied Anck-su-namun with some annoyance. She just wanted to be left alone. This child knew nothing of what she was going through; she was sure of it, but she felt disinclined to enlighten her. Inside was a need to disappear and seek refuge in a place where only she could clear her head. The gardens was that place. It was her only spot of solace. Strolling past the greenery was where she felt free. Its beauty made her feel as though she were not trapped in some palace by a greedy, lustful pharaoh, but in some far away land where everything was much simpler and kind. If only she could stay in it forever…
"I will be back by the time Seti calls," she said, getting up with a sigh.
The pharaoh had been seeking to spend more time with her as of late, which only seemed to breathe new fervor into her heart for withdrawing from everything. She didn't belong to this life. She needed something better and she was sure if given the chance, she would grasp it. Any chance at all.
Without saying another word, she left the room.
"No! No, I do not want anymore. I have had enough!" said Princess Nefertiri in a raised tone, while throwing her hands about in a frenzy. "I am fine with what I have on," she announced, while standing before her mirror.
Handmaidens, who had been standing around her, slinked away to stand behind. It was their duty to dress Nefertiri and prepare her for the new day, but the princess was tired of all the fuss. She was perfectly capable of choosing her own attire and applying her own makeup.
Countless times as a child, she had snuck into her mother's chambers and painted her face. Granted it hadn't always looked the most appealing, but she was certain she had a steadier hand along with a more matured creativity now that she was a grown woman.
"Leave me," she said to the women, as she waltzed over to her balcony. Nodding, they vacated the room.
Nefertiri sighed and glanced below at the Med-jai standing guard. She had two balconies to her room; one overlooking the city and the courtyard, and the other the gardens. She had chosen this room for its view and size. She loved the beauty of the land, which she would one day rule and took great pride in her title of Princess. She would one day make her father very proud, she was sure of it. She loved him dearly and would do anything for him. He was the only parent she had left after the unfortunate death of her mother, who she missed dearly.
Shivering at the memory of losing her mother, she decided that she needed to get away from the palace, if only for a few short hours. She had time before her duties would call to her, and so, she left her chambers and headed for the courtyard.
A smile took hold of her features when she suddenly saw Badru, one of the Med-jai, standing guard at the steps to the palace. He was a stout warrior, tall with bronzed skin. His kilt was the traditional black and had no ornamentation. He stood with his back completely straight, his hands overlapped in front of him. He was quite muscular and well sculpted, but he was far from perfect, physically at least, for upon his right cheek there was a long scar, which he had received in his training.
His hair was long and black; thick and wild, and Nefertiri had to fight her blush, for secretly she harbored feelings for this man… and he for her. She knew of this. It wasn't hard to see. She just hoped that her father was blind to it. The last thing she wanted was to cause some unspeakable punishment to rain down on him.
"Badru," she said, with a pleasant smile.
"Princess, to what do I owe this visit?" he inquired, looking at her with his tattooed face.
"Do I need a reason to come see you?" she came back. "You should be careful of what you say. I might not come back if I feel unwelcome," she teased. Badru did not laugh.
"I do not think I would like that much… I'm sorry," he said in all seriousness, before lowering his head. Nefertiri mentally rolled her eyes. Leave it to a Med-jai to not have a sense of humor.
"I wasn't serious. You should learn to tell a joke from a threat," she told him. Badru lifted his eyes up to hers.
"I apologize then, Princess. It will not happen again."
She shook her head, but decided to drag this out a little more. "I think I will have to hold you to that. You best be careful," she warned, pointing a finger at him.
Badru lifted an eyebrow, but said nothing, as he looked straight ahead. Nefertiri had to laugh.
"Do you ever take time from your duties?" she asked. Badru shook his head.
"I do what I am told. My task is to guard the pharaoh's home. I cannot let it fall into ruin. Danger awaits us at the most inopportune of times," he explained. Nefertiri had to fight another laugh.
"You talk as if you expect an apocalypse!" she exclaimed.
"And you do not? You worship your gods day and night, follow your father's ways. If you ask me, that is aiding in avoiding the end of the world."
Nefertiri smiled and shook her head again. "You worry too much," she said, patting him on the shoulder. "Goodbye," she wished him, before turning to leave. She wanted to see the gardens…