As my father and I walked down the palace steps I stared off into the streets ignoring his attempts to figure out just what i was so upset about. Once we reached the bottom he got down to my level and placed his hand on the side of my cheek. "Ahmes, what is wrong? Did one of the hurt you? Did they do something.. inappropriate?" He stuttered out the last part. "I am just tired papa and I miss mama" I tried rubbing my eyes as to look too tired to talk any more. He gave me a sympathetic look. He scooped me onto his shoulder and i couldn't help but laugh as he walked through the columns. I loved being up on his shoulders, I felt as if no one could touch me up there. I felt powerful, like royalty. he would always tell me, when he put me onto his shoulders, i was the tallest woman in all of Egypt. He would tell me I was the true queen.
We walked through the village as we greeted our neighbors and so on. Night began to fall and it got a little chilly as the breeze brushed passed us. I loved coming home late when out with my father or mother so i could feel the sweet, cool air. As we walked into our home my mother greeted us. She kissed my father, then removed me from his shoulders and placed little kisses on my head. Though our house was an average size compared to the rest of the village, it was full of fine and expensive perfumes, cosmetics and clothing. We had nice mats to sleep on that were very pleasant and soft. My father used to be a craftsmen until I was born and he was promoted to royal architect! My father was a cousin to pharaoh's half-sister's mother. Growing up, my father and the pharaoh became great friends. If that had not happened the pharaoh would probably do nothing more than ignore my birth and likely forget my father. Fortunately for my family and I, my father was still acknowledged for whatever amount of royal blood he possessed which meant I too had royal blood.
We live in the village because of my mother. My mothers family were all slaves. when she was younger, she to was a slave. When my father was playing games with the soon to be pharaoh in the garden he saw her in the streets through the trees. He tried to make any excuse to leave the palace and go off to find her. He ran through the dusty streets of the village and when he turned a corner he came into contact with a woman carrying a bucket of water. My father fell back, soaked from the water and noticed the face of the one he smacked into. He told me they had stared at each other for eternity. to this day he still reminds me they are still staring at each other and will continue to do so for eternity. As my father grew older he took my mother away from her hard work and suffering and continued to take care of her and I so we did not have to work.
My mother was kept as a secret from my fathers friends for both mine and my mother's benefit. If they had known my father had fallen for a slave and rescued her, we would be struggling today. Regardless of what anyone says, I am proud of my Hebrew roots, I always have and always will be. No one can tell me otherwise, however my father and mother try to caution me from letting that little secret escape my lips. After our supper my mother and father kissed me good night as I lay on the fine luxurious mats. As they slept I lay awake, my mind racing. i fought back a tear or two that tried to escape from my eyes. I was not going to cry over this, I knew i was over thinking. And to cry for a boy? please! i pushed back the thought of it and rolled on to my side. Not long passed before I fell asleep.
It was months before I returned to the palace. I tried to rid myself of any real emotion for Ahkmenrah or his brother. I tried to think of them as only random children, not much as friends. It was difficult to do. I felt the more I was around Ahkmenrah I began to lose myself. I was beginning to think i may have lost my mind, I was not too fond of that. But it was not something that I could help. Though no matter how I felt inside I tried my best to act mature around them as if I had no time in my "busy schedule" to participate in their silly games.
Kahmunrah's P.O.V
I could not believe my eyes. It almost made me feel a little upset for beating my brother the way i have been. 'Of course she would return', I thought to myself, 'how could she not? She did return for me did she not? Maybe I should apologize to him... Ha!' I laughed to myself. I knew she would come back. After all, I am next in line for the throne, why would she not want the best?
Ahkmenrah's P.O.V
I was happy to see her but I was afraid to show it. She acted so different. Is it possible to mature so much over these few months? Any game we played she claimed she had other things to do. what those tasks were I will never know considering she was only here because her father worked with my father. After she rejected our invitation, I almost did not even want to play any games.. I feel.. I am not sure. I have not been sure of anything much anymore it seems. I feel as if.. I am loosing myself... Hours have passed and I was told they were Leaving for home. I ran to see if I could catch a glimpse of her for I do not know when I will see her again. It could be months for all I know. I ran through the halls and tried to sneak past some columns until I smacked straight into something and was forced backward as whatever I had hit mirrored my movement.
I was afraid it could have been Kahmunrah or a guard or something but when I recognized that face... I could stare at it forever. It felt like we stared at each other for an eternity. After what seemed like a life time I came back down from the cloud I had felt I was on. I quickly stood up and helped her up. She hesitated and I had hoped it was not because of the sweat that had claimed its place on my palms whenever she was present. "Forgive me, Ahmes. I did not see you. Are you hurt?" I asked trying to examine her. "I am fine.." She seemed to have only breathed out those words as if she had witnessed some kind of spirit. "This situation seems familiar" I laughed nervously "You could not imagine.." she replied in the same way, a look of disbelief on her lovely face. I shifted back and forth on my feetand glanced slowly around the room as we both stood there awkwardly.
"Listen Ahems, do forgive me for my actions that day. I was... well.." I stuttered not wanting to tell her what was really on my mind. "please, prince.." she held her hand up as if the tell me it was not a problem, "Ahkmenrah, please." I corrected her. "Ahkmenrah" she continued with a voice like silk "I was fine, really" She smiled shyly. I could not help but smile back at her; You know those smiles that you just cannot stop? "well I will not keep you from your home any longer, Ahmes. I look forward to seeing you again. Soon, I trust." I declared as I bowed. I heard her let at a hopeless sigh "I was on my way to inform you and your bother, prince." She started as i corrected her again.
"Well you see... I do apologize.. and regret not spending my time wisely with the both of you.." she trailed off. "Ahmes, what are you trying to say? I do not understand" I commented, fearing the worst. " well my father was told of a project that needs to be completed In Luxor.." she sighed again "and he has said for my mother and I to join him" She whispered lowering her head. I did not know what I would do. She disappears, she returns, than leaves me again.. I am not sure if I can handle this. I try to be strong for her as I rest my hands against her shoulders. while I reassure her, I feel as though I am breaking inside. I am almost sure you could see my skin begin to crack. I strained to find any words that might aid to this situation but I could only manage to utter a few whispers and fragments of words. She slowly began to look up and we looked at each other for a few seconds before I pulled her into a tight embrace. I tried to fight back the sting of tears in my eyes and the painful lump in my throat. when I will see her again I do not know. I could not and would not dream of finding another.