Summary: "Promise you shall come back to me." Her beautiful eyes glittered in the lamplight, tear trails glistening on her cheeks as she gazed up at him, begging. Oneshot. First in the "Ardeth & Amani" series.
Disclaimer: Ardeth belongs to Stephen Sommers and Universal Studios (dangit). Amani, however, is of my own creation.
A/N: I wrote this back in October of last year, and posted it on my LJ (there's a link on my profile) only, as I usually avoid posting oneshots on here. But, since the numbers of Mummy fans over at livejournal are dwindling (almost to the point of non-existence), I thought it wise to stick it on this site. Now, this may be turning into a series, as I've recently written a follow up entitled "Nervous" (which I will try to post following this story). So look out for related oneshots in the future.
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It pained him to see her like this – expression indifferent; the eyes, however, revealing her true emotions. In those emerald-green orbs he could see the sadness, the fear, the silent plea for him not to go…
She averted her gaze, realising her husband had seen too much.
Curse him. A month, and he already knew her too well.
"You will wait for me?" Of course she would! She was his and no-one else's – she would go nowhere. It was her duty. And yet, it had come out as a query rather than a statement.
After all, there was a great chance he would not return...
She said nothing, raven hair shielding her face from his expectant stare.
"Amani?"
An almost undetectable shake of the head. In fact, if he hadn't been watching so intently, he'd have missed it.
"When are you to depart?" It was barely above a whisper.
"As soon as is possible."
A nod…
…And nothing more.
He was at a loss. Should he simply walk away now? But there was so much he wanted to say; to do. If this was to be the last time he would ever lay eyes on her --
Or should he take her in his arms, bid her a farewell worthy of a Medjai Chieftain's wife? But no. There had been no indication of a earning for intimacy on her part. Her body was partially turned away from him – a sign that she wanted nothing more than to be left alone.
His chest tightened, almost painfully.
This was it, then.
He quietly sighed, eyes on the reed rug as he contemplated his next course of action. That was when he heard it. A sniffle.
He looked to her, saw her shoulders quake.
"Amani?"
Her sobs were clear now, the sorrowful sound filling their tent. Without a word, without a second thought, he went to her and embraced her. She cried harder, slim fingers clinging desperately to his robe front.
He closed his eyes, chin resting on the crown of her head, and inhaled deeply her unique scent – jasmine, and spices, and the lingering aroma of honey-bread. Something he sorely wanted to remember. Perhaps the recollection would soothe him upon death…
No. Now was not the time to dwell on such thoughts.
"Ardeth?"
He was drawn from his musings by the gentle voice, looked down into his wife's face to see that her tears had mostly dried. How long had they been standing there, in each others arms?
He raised his brows in askance.
"Promise you shall come back to me." Her beautiful eyes glittered in the lamplight, tear trails glistening on her cheeks as she gazed up at him, begging. He floundered, mouth moving wordlessly.
She tugged on his robe, slowly brought his face down to hers.
"Promise me." A murmur against his lips. He knew, then, what she was asking, and pressed his mouth to hers.
I promise…
--Fin.
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xchocolatejetx