Little Dove
DISCLAIMER (the boring stuff):
Lock-Nah and Ardeth Bay are copyrighted characters of Universal Studios, Stephen Sommers, and/or any of the persons or companies not mentioned but in affiliation with The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, all rights remain with them. Neither I, nor this story, are connected to those holding the copyright to these characters, nor do I received any finical or material gain from the publication of this narrative.
Ardeth Bay has recently been made aware of his own mortality; he was not certain if that realization came to him when he was strapped to the wing of a bi-plane or when the plane he was strapped to was crashing; however, it was definitely during that timeframe he realized he was mortal. And it was this discovery that led him to the Siwa Oasis, a place he and his father had been coming to since he was a child of 10, for supplies and information. It was at Siwa Oasis that he first saw Jemima, the most beautiful girl in all of Egypt. They only saw each other once a month, when he and the other Med-jai came for supplies, but to him that rare time was more precious to him then all the water of the world and he always found a reason for visiting her father's shop and steal even a few precious, yet chaperoned, moments with her. Over the years, month by month he watched her grow into the living image of beauty. She stood about his height, maybe a few inches shorter, a slender build and moves with a grace that a thousand poets working for a thousand years could not capture. Her elegant face with its high cheek bones, the graceful curve of her jaw, and small narrow nose had visited him frequently in dreams. Her small heart shaped mouth would often whisper secrets of love and passion in his forbidden thoughts. While battling the creature and its minions it was thoughts of her that gave him the courage to battle on and the fear of never seeing her again provided him the strength to overcome near impossible odds.
It had been three days since he and a small portion of his tribesmen had come to the Siwa Oasis, Ardeth arrived with his entourage and approached Jemima's father, seeking her hand in marriage. He had come with horses and camels, silks and a little gold as a dowry; however, much to his dismay another man was also in Siwa seeking the same prize, and his dowry was much, much larger, that man was Lock-Nah; an old childhood rival. The two had competed with each other fiercely for as long as either could remember; and for as long as either could remember Lock-Nah had always won, except in cases when the prize was valued to both men. It was in those rare cases that Ardeth won, but this time Ardeth was not entirely certain that he would be the victor.
Jemima's father spoke with both men, asking them for their patience telling them he would have a decision in three days. The three long, torturous days, passed like years and in that time he had not seen his lovely little dove, if only he could see her, even glance, it would be enough to quell the anticipation in his heart and give his hope new wings. Ardeth feared he would lose Jemima, his little dove, his dowry was pennies compared to his long time rival Lock-Nah's, plus Ardeth is a Med-jai which, while honorable, would mean Jemima would have a hard life. Lock-Nah and his tribe are known mercenaries, not very honorable, but Jemima would never want for anything. Ardeth could not bring himself to eat or sleep as the time slowly ticked away, silently and in his daily prayers he prayed to Allah that he would be chosen that he would be Jemima's husband.
The sun slowly set and with a heavy heart he headed towards Jemima's home to hear the decision. He sat on richly embroidered pillows of red, yellow and gold as Jemima's mother brought in a small pot of strong coffee and three small cups, neither Lock-Nah nor Ardeth were especially interested in coffee, but neither would refuse the hospitality of their host. Soon A tall round man came into the small room and sat before them, Jemima's father. He sighed and sipped his coffee as he was soon joined by both his wife his daughter. Upon seeing her both men straightened up, their breath caught in their throats as their faces light up at the sight of her. Jemima's beautiful dark eyes were downcast humbly as she sat between her parents, her small dainty hands folded gracefully in her lap.
Both men listened patiently as the patriarch explained the difficulty of his decision and how honored he was to have two such distinguished suitors vie for his daughter's hand. He continued by thanking both men for their patience. Lock-Nah sat somberly, taking in every word as if it were the Holy Scripture while inside he roared for the old man to get on with it. Ardeth was barely aware of the carefully practiced speech he was presented with, his eyes would wonder to Jemima, sitting silently beside her mother.
Look at me! Please just a glance! His mind screamed, and then miraculously as if she heard his thoughts her dark eyes rolled up and found his. Those dark eyes glistening like pools of water in the moonlight, and he found himself falling, drowning in those dark eyes. He was a slave to those intense eyes, and the mysteries that lay beyond. She returned her gaze to her hands as her father finished his speech by announcing that he had made a decision.
"Ardeth Bay…" Jemima's father announced with a tone that almost sounded sad, Ardeth held his breath and his heart seemed to stop as he waited, aguishly to hear that he had not been chosen. "I would like to present you with my daughter Jemima, I accept your dowry."
Ardeth was stunned; unashamed he looked at Jemima, her eyes still downcast but the most radiant smile he had ever seen lit up her face. He could not stop his own smile as he finally took in the breath he had been holding, mentally thanking and praising Allah. He felt the muscles in his shoulders and back finally relax as the stress of the past three day was finally over.
Suddenly he was out of breath as a large muscular forearm struck in the chest, sending Ardeth tumbling back, knocking over the small round table in the process. The women yelped and quickly moved out of the way, as her father leapt to his feet.
"Enough!" he bellowed, but Lock-Nah did not stop, he unsheathed his scimitar and advanced on the stunned Ardeth, who managed to roll away as the came slicing down upon him. Ardeth, quickly leapt to his feet and began backing away towards the door, he would not disrespect his father-in-law by allowing blood to be shed in his home, once out on the street Ardeth produced his own scimitar and began his counter attack. What Lock-Nah lacked in skill he made up for in strength as each powerful blow threatened to send Ardeth toppling over. Fortunately for Ardeth his skill with the scimitar was unmatched and his used his skill and smaller physique to counter Lock-Nah's strength and height. Ardeth nimbly dodged a slice aimed for his neck as stepped toward Lock-Nah who side stepped and caught the Med-jai in the kidney with his elbow. Ardeth grunted with pain, but refused to collapse, instead he managed to avoid a powerful punch, but fell prey to a kick that knocked him back into a small table displaying an assortment of small pottery. Angrily Lock-Nah swung his weapon at the recovering Ardeth and caught his arm.
"Ardeth!" Jemima called out from her doorway, still huddled with her mother.
Fury washed over Lock-Nah as he swung his scimitar over head and savagely brought it down with amazing speed. Ardeth blocked the devastating blow, but the weapon continued to make its way towards its mark. Lock-Nah put his weight behind the weapon, making it increasingly difficult for Ardeth to push him away.
"She cries out for you as a woman would call to her lover. Perhaps I was mistaken for offering such a dowry for a soiled woman."
"Her virtues are intact. The only thing soiled is your honor." Ardeth protested, finding the strength to push Lock-Nah back, while at the same time ensnaring his legs, causing the large Nubian to land heavily on his back. Ardeth wasted no time in pinning the man's sword arm and bringing his blade to the dark man's throat.
"You've lost Lock-Nah, let it end here." Ardeth warned, not wishing to kill his foe before his in-laws and his new bride.
"You've not seen the last of me Med-Jai." He said, spitting the word 'Med-jai' as if it were an insult, pushing Ardeth away Lock-Nah stormed off, the gathering crowd eagerly clearing a path. Ardeth made his way towards his bride and her family, bowing and apologizing for the incident.
"I heard what was said about my daughter…" his soon-to-be father-in-law began "…I can assure you she is pure. We can have her examined."
"I have known you and your family since I was a child, your word is enough for me."
He sighed in relief at Ardeth's words "Come inside; let me take a look at your wound, as we make wedding arrangements." He added, gesturing back towards the humble house. Ardeth agreed glancing at Jemima his eyes conveyed all the pride and joy his voice knew not how to express in a moment that seemed to stretch far beyond the span of single heartbeat.