Authors note

I do not own red river. *sulks in a corner*

Joy, Dance, Beauty and Love - Hathor

Both Ramses and Rayne turned to Yuri as she told them "we will lead you to your rooms now."

Ramses was the first to say "due to the strange incident that happened early in our journey, Seth and I stay in the room with her. We will need chairs or beds, depending on what arrangements you can make, put in her room please."

Yuri Immediately turned to Rayne who, when seeing the queen look at her blushed furiously and nodded. "We had someone try to get me through my dream I think. I'm not really sure what it was all about, but it was the same person who dragged me here. They make me feel safer"

Yuri with eyes wide asked "do you know the person's name or appearance?" pulling her through a puddle could have been the work of Nakia but the dream thing was new. Either that or they had a new powerful enemy. Nether prospect was good.

Rayne closed her eyes and tilted her head as she thought and struggled to recall each and every detail. Ramses balled his fists at his side worried about it distressing Rayne to recall the incidents but knowing she'd have to find her own strength. Rayne started in a somewhat faraway voice "the first time in the puddle, I noticed she had long manicured nails that bit into my ankle. She wore jewelry and a lot of it cause I heard it clinking. She had helpers, I heard something between her and them, but at that time I couldn't speak the language. "

Rayne tried to think of any more details "she was very… straight. Like how you and the king are. Good posture, good movements. Not slouchy like. Least wise that is the feel I got off her from her grabbing at me. And the second with the dream I didn't get to see anything. It was pitch dark, but she felt again straight and like she has good posture and movements. She is not used to resistance."

Rayne paused then added "Oh! And I think I broke some fingers, not sure if it carried out from the dream. She talks like a royal in many ways. And she demands everything and thinks dying for her would be an honor. She's very full of herself."

Rayne opened her eyes and looked straight at the queen. "I'm sorry I can't give you more details. I know it worries you." Rayne's eyes got big and she exclaimed "OH! And she said I was her path back to the throne and way to slay the King, Istar and their brats! Oh! I didn't mean the insult, that's just what she said! You are the Istar!"

Yuri was visibly shaken to the point of having the shivers. Rayne moved before the King and hugged Yuri. "I will never let that horrid woman use me. Even more so because you are nice and you are good to your people and double that because I will NEVER help harm children. EVER!"

Ramses and King Kail smiled at the promise, a smile that quickly turned to contemplation upon hearing about her adamant protection of children. Ramses eyes never left Rayne and King Kail looked at him and smiled. 'Ramses will have a hard road ahead of him with that girl, but I do hope he wins her in the end.' before his thoughts turned back to his queen and their children.

Yuri got herself under control and turned to Kail saying "we need to send a letter to make sure."

Kail nodded before turning back to the pair "We will lead you to your room now." As Kail walked past Rayne he gently brushed her and everyone within 10 feet felt first a hot wind then a cold wind in quick succession.

Kail whipped around and looked at Rayne startled. "You never mentioned being a priestess!"

Rayne took a step back when the King suddenly turned around and with a confused look asked "me? I'm not anything. I'm defiantly not a priestess, I'm no one special."

King Kail looked at her for a second, then demanded "give me your hand!"

Rayne backed up further, bumping into a table as she watched him in terror. Ramses had a menacing glare on his face and despite trying his best to restrain himself, his hand on his sword. Kail's face softened and Rayne let out a very small "why?"

King Kail was so shocked he had forgotten himself and how fragile this girl was when it came to men so he demanded her hand without thinking about it until she ran away from him in fear. Watching her, his face softened as he prepared to apologize for scaring her. Thankfully, she kept him from needing to by asking 'why'.

"When I touched you there was a hot and cold wind. I am capable of controlling wind, but not temperature. I wanted to test you for magic since you profusely rejected the idea of being a priestess." He explained to her.

Looking from Ramses who was still on defense but had greatly calmed, to Yuri who was surprised but also calm about it Rayne walked just close enough to the King to let him reach her hand.

Taking it Kail flipped it palm up and proceeded to take a dagger from his belt and tried to cut her with it. It promptly heated up to red hot, and then froze solid in the span of a second. After that it shattered and only Kail's wind protected everyone from the shrapnel.

Rayne promptly apologized. She wasn't sure what she had done, but she had felt the power when she became afraid that he would stab her. Kail looked at the shards on the floor and then at Rayne saying "it appears your brush with my magic activated your own magic. You will need training to control it. I will say I have never seen one with powers over both fire and ice."

As they continued to the room Rayne walked quite close to Ramses reminding Yuri of a dam with her foal. Ramses wanted to put a protective arm around Rayne but calculated that it would do more harm than good. They got to the room the strait haired hand maiden came to them. Yuri said "this is Hadi, she will be providing for you for the night and help you. Just call if you need anything."

Rayne put her bags on her bed as Seth came up and gave her a small hug. Turning to him she told him about the things she had learned. He smiled and listened as Ramses prepared for the night. Once Ramses was back, he pointed to Hadi. "You need a bath, then to go to bed. We will be staying here for quite some time and you need to get acclimated."

Rayne followed Hadi and took a bath. Coming out Hadi helped her braid her hair then provided an outfit to sleep in. Rayne blushed profusely at the revealing outfit but Hadi assured her that it would be fine. With a shawl over her shoulders to stay comfortable Hadi escorted her back to her room. Dropping her off Hadi said "Call if you require anything." before leaving for the night.

Seth left to prepare for the night as Ramses took his chair and Rayne offered "I can sleep in a pile of pillows on the floor so you and Seth can have the bed. That way all of us would be comfortable."

Ramses assured her "We are not going to have you sleep in a pile. If either of us takes the bed it would be to sleep next to you." At her look of alarm he clarified "So you would be within quick reach!" Rayne nodded before placing the shawl on a table, grabbing Flopsy and getting in bed. She was unaware of the look Ramses gave her as he cursed Hadi profusely for picking the outfit she did.

By the time Rayne was settled and looked at Ramses, he had a leg pulled up in his lap and was leaning over in a conversational way. "You know, the fashion of this time is pretty interesting and mostly fun." Rayne told him with a smile.

Ramses agreed "Egyptian fashion suits you better though I think." He was glad that his sisters didn't have the chance to dress Rayne when she first arrived. He had a hard enough time with the current outfit that the bare breasted ones that his sisters wore would be too much.

Rayne grinned "I'd love to get my hair braided like I saw your sisters with! It's so pretty and it may make it easier to manage!"

Seth reentered to hear Ramses say "I'm sure it would look beautiful on you." One look at Rayne's outfit and Ramses position made Seth snicker. He felt bad for his commander but at the same time found great amusement in it as well. Soon all 3 were asleep.

As the sun came out Ramses stretched. He would have to demand a bed soon, too many nights in a chair was not good for the body. Looking over at Rayne his irritation over being sore melted away. In so many ways it she was very like Yuri but in so many ways she was vastly different. Ramses wondered if this girl would have the strength to face his empire. Shaking his head he reminded himself that she wasn't going to stay.

Leaving Seth to watch over her, he went to the courtyard to clear his head in the cool air and was surprised to find Kail there. Coming up behind him Ramses said "I have a far greater admiration for you King. I do not know how you could be willing to send her back."

Kail turned and gave a dry smile "Are you unwilling to send Rayne back?" He knew the answer but wanted to make Ramses say it anyways.

"I can not keep her. If I did I would take away the spark that makes her… her." Ramses said as he stared over the pond.

"And that is why I could never let you have my Yuri Ishtar." Kail said as he clasped Ramses on the shoulder. "Welcome to the wonderful pain and torture that is love. May your story be as beautiful as mine." With that Kail went to retrieve his wife so they could have breakfast.

Ramses returned to collect Rayne for the same reason and found her animatedly talking to Seth. As soon as he walked in she stopped and looked away. Ramses knew to hide his irritation at this point. Rayne hesitantly looked back at him and asked "Could I learn to use the sword with your men?"

Ramses looked at Seth quickly to see him smirking. 'So that's what they were talking about. I wonder why she's shy to talk to me about it.' "It would be my honor to arrange that." He was pleased by her interest and had to remind himself again that she would be going home. Rayne bounced up excitedly thanking him and Ramses abruptly reminded her to change out of her sleep clothes.

"Holding back can be harmful you know. I could find you a pretty girl to sate your desire while you wait on Rayne, Commander." Seth offered as they left to let Rayne change in privacy.

Ramses glared at him "You will do no such thing."

After breakfast the trio went to the training yard where Rayne watched the others practice their fighting. She noticed but ignored the betting going on. By lunch time Ramses pulled Rayne into the ring and started teaching her how to hold and manage a sword. After a while the soldiers remaining called for a challenge for her and Ramses obliged.

"Rayne, you will go hand to hand with Khay. No weapons." Ramses instructed as the 2 took the ring. Seth was the only one that bet on Rayne and it was mostly out of sympathy and the odds being so against her.

They circled for a bit as they sized each other up. Rayne guessed that Ramses picked Khay because he was fonder of her for relieving the shoulder pain from a previous injury. She was aware of the shoulder weakness as well as a slight hearing loss in his right ear as well. An injury to the leg made his left knee a weak point as well though well hidden.

Finally Khay made the first move and tried to knock Rayne off her feet. She jumped and kicked out nailing his right shoulder. Khay grabbed her ankle and she twisted using that hold to bring her full weight down and nail him in the gut. As he went down Rayne pulled his right arm behind him holding it for a second before releasing it. "If that isn't a win I don't care. I won't hurt him further, especially when he was going easy on me."

Seth patted her on the back among the chaos "Drinks are on me tonight Rayne! You helped me get the biggest win of my life!"

Ramses nodded approvingly "Khay, you did well. Rayne I will discuss your training with you at lunch. The rest of you, dismissed!"

Ramses walked with Rayne back to her quarters for lunch as Seth went out drinking. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

Looking up at him innocently she answered "I had to take self-defense lessons. The fighting's a bit different and I had to work to not hurt Khay but it still taught me to fight. Self-defense lessons teach you to use any move available to escape harm. That includes cheap shots and damaging blows." She muttered to herself as she looked at the floor "But then going after his damaged shoulder like that could be seen as a cheap shot too…"

Ramses raised an eyebrow 'once she learns more of fighting I'll have to go against her to see what she can do.' He remembered how she had quickly put him in the hold on the first day and wondered what would have happened if she had continued that fight.

Lunch was simple and after Ramses continued lessons with the sword. Seth didn't come back till after dinner and he smelled of wine and sweat. As soon as he walked into the room Rayne sniffed the air and commented "You had fun."

Seth grinned "All thanks to you. I" Ramses cut Seth off by sending Rayne for her bath. By the time she returned it was time for bed.

About to take their usual spots they were interrupted by Hadi leading a few men. With a little rearranging there was a second bed put in right by the first. "Now one of you can sleep next to her." She said with a smile as she finished cleaning up and left for the night.

Seth was about to take the chair again when Ramses asked "Who would you like to take the other bed Rayne?" He did not want to push her and would not break his promise, even if it was only made to himself.

Rayne blushed before suggesting "Umm… maybe you guys could take turns, that way neither of you have it too bad. Or maybe you guys could take turns watching over me since nothing has happened for quite some time."

Seth grinned "I have a woman to visit if I may commander."

Rayne looked up at him startled "OH! Umm then Ramses…" She turned to him suddenly "Wait! Do you have a lady too? I don't want to get in the way and I appreciate all the care but you shouldn't jeopardize relationships for someone going back home."

"I do not have a wife or concubine and will not for some time. It will compromise me in no way to stay with you." Ramses assured her.

Rayne grinned and adamantly said "Good! I would hate to cause you guys' trouble. Especially after all you've done to look after me! Seth you remind me of my older brother and Ramses you remind me of my oldest brother… You've looked like you would kill people a few times when they scared me." Rayne laughed and Seth gave Ramses a sympathetic look before leaving. Ramses took the bed next to Rayne's and soon both were asleep.

2 weeks passed with much the same pattern of meals, training and talks with the king and queen on occasion. At night Seth was away as far as Rayne knew and Ramses slept next to her, ever vigilant to protect her. On the morning of Rayne's 16th day in Hittite King Kail and Queen Yuri Ishtar greeted her and Ramses outside her quarters. "Rayne, your teacher has arrived." A beautiful woman stepped into view and Kail continued "Nepis Ilra."

Rayne observed the woman for a moment before smiling and gently taking her hand. After a bow she released it "It is an honor to meet you Nepis Ilra. May I call you Nepis?"

Nepis gave a gentle smile as she agreed. Kail took his leave and Nepis guided Rayne and a trailing Ramses to the aria they would work in. Ramses after some time left Rayne and returned to working with his men. Before dinner Nepis ended their lessons for the day. "You are not versed in customs of this land are you?" she asked Rayne.

"You can't see, as such you may not know I'm not from here like Queen Yuri Ishtar isn't. I also figured a bow would do no good if you couldn't see it so I took your hand so you could feel it. I apologize if that was out of line." Rayne answered.

"King Mursili II was correct. You are odd. It shall be pleasant to instruct you." Nepis laughed softly "I am curious to hear what you think of King Mursili II and Queen Yuri Ishtar as well as what you think of General Ramses."

Rayne thought about it a bit. "King Kail genuinely cares for Queen Yuri and his kingdom. I don't know why but he seems to hate Ramses. I don't know what Ramses did but he did apologize to them both on our first day here. Queen Yuri seems quite happy. I'm glad that though she is stuck here she found love and happiness. And Ramses…" Rayne trailed off as she got lost in thought.

After a few moments she continued "Ramses is fascinating, not only because of his genetics." At Nepis's questioning look Rayne tried to explain "Genetics are what make us how we are, not personality or mind but physically… well some mind too. But like if your parents are both black haired it's likely for you to be as well. The 2 different colored eyes is a genetic abnormality that is quite uncommon. Add in his coloration for the aria and his sisters' appearances it makes him genetically fascinating."

Nepis looked doubtful and Rayne chuckled and continued "He also is fascinating in personality and behavior. Though he is very gruff with most, he is also capable of being charismatic. He has a lot more restraint than many but that I'm guessing is how he became a general. He had no reason to take me in and care for me or get me help or any of it but he has done so much. Ramses even spent weeks sleeping in a chair to look after me because of the previous incident."

Nepis smiled fondly at Rayne and was about to ask another question when they heard another voice "And what of his looks?"

Rayne looked to where the voice came from and gave a dry look before answering with a smirk "Well I guess he's ok looking… if you like the bronzed, muscled, sandy haired look." Rayne chuckled as she walked into her room and sat to eat. "Please join us Nepis, if you don't have somewhere better to be."

Nepis excused herself to dine with her brother and Ramses took the seat next to Rayne. "So I came up in discussion."

Rayne grinned but told him nothing. Though she was still skittish, especially around strangers she was fairly comfortable around Ramses and Seth. They had discovered she liked to tease and joke, it was a pleasant surprise. Ramses adored the moments when she just played. She was so alive and brought joy to any who saw her at these times.

After dinner Ramses took Rayne to practice with her sword. The month followed the same. After breakfast with Ramses, Rayne would join Nepis for magic training. At dinner she again ate with Ramses before he worked with her on swordsmanship.

Rayne woke to the sun streaming through a window though it was chilly and smiled excitedly. Ramses had promised to take her around the market that day so she could finally see it! She turned to find Ramses and was disappointed to see him not in his bed or anywhere in the room. Maybe something had come up. It was after all the 2nd reschedule. With a sigh she got up and started changing for the day.

Ramses walked in eagerly only to state an abrupt apology and leave quick as he had entered. Rayne looked up from fastening her belt and smiled. Once finished she rapped on a pink cheeked Ramses shoulder. "I was only tying my belt. Don't worry. So do you have something today too?"

Ramses looked down at Rayne with a grin "No. Today we can visit the market. Are you ready to go?" Rayne nodded eagerly and Ramses handed her a shawl. It wasn't totally for the sun, most where taller than Rayne and as such when looking down at her would get a lovely view. Ramses did not want to share that view.

Seth walked up joining them "milady." He said with a bow. Rayne looked at him confused but he didn't explain. Khay and Yamanu also joined them.

"Seth and Khay, do not let Rayne out of your sight. Is that understood?" Ramses ordered and both guards snapped to salute.

"Is the market that dangerous?" Rayne asked and Ramses answered that he would take no risks with her safety. Rayne shrugged and skipped along the path to the market, clearly excited by everything. Ramses knew that her exuberant attitude as well as the jewels she unconsciously wore would make her a target if they weren't careful.

In the market she bounced from stall to stall excitedly talking and learning about everything she saw. At the livestock pins she made friends with everything. The goats she laughed at the antics of as she bleated at them. The cows she mooed to and petted any that got close enough. She paused longest at the horses. Seth and Khay took up positions at either side behind her as Ramses stood beside her. She leaned on the rails and watched the horses, talking to any that got close enough.

Ramses was embarrassed by her strange antics but adored her innocent conversations with the horses. He wondered how she would act and if she would bare her soul to a hunting dog if he got her one. He considered it for a few moments before reminding himself that she wasn't staying.

After a while she got up and started bouncing along the pens again. "Thank you for this Ramses! This is amazing and fun! Though it seems people still don't like Egyptians here… probably since you guys likely war a lot, it's still amazing to see the town and how everything works!"

Yamanu and Khay stared at Rayne in surprise. Seth and Ramses had gotten used to her strange insight. "What have you noticed?" Ramses asked her as they started walking back to the palace.

"Well for starters there is a tavern we should avoid on the left. Drunken men do not make the best choices. Though most have been friendly because coin is coin and able to be spent, some stall owners openly glared at you guys and me once they figured out I was part of the group. It seems to confuse them since I don't look Hittite but dress it and don't look Egyptian but am with obvious Egyptians. We also have been sworn at a few times under peoples breath and Khay was spit on by a passerby, good restraint by the way." Rayne chatted.

They passed a street musician and Rayne stopped, listening. Ramses could see her eagerness grow as she watched longer. Suddenly she started dancing to the music just letting the rhythm take her. As people stopped to watch she would pull them into the dance gently. Soon the street was full of dancing people laughing joyously. Before the song ended Rayne took a bewitched Ramses' hand and pulled him into the dance. Ramses heard Seth say "we are on guard." as they joined the dance.

As the song ended Rayne twirled at the twittering note, dipping into a beautiful curtsy as it died. Laughing gleefully she bowed to the musician thanking him profusely for the wonderful song. Ramses stepped up beside her and dropped a few coins in his hat. Many followed suit as they slipped away among the musicians' questions of who she was.

Twirling and squealing happily as they entered the palace grounds Rayne gleefully said "That was the most fun I've had in a very long time! We should do it again sometime if we can!" Ramses was captivated by Rayne, overflowing with joy. Seth had to shake himself from her draw and noticed Khay and Yamanu's spellbound expressions.

As the other 2 were dismissed Seth said quiet enough only Ramses could hear "If you could get our goddess from a foreign land to stay I am quite sure she would be what your house needs. Bringing dance, love, joy, beauty, and music to your household tenfold."

Ramses took the information in "She came from the reeds of the Nile to bless all in her path." With a sigh he said "No, she is to return to her land." Seth wondered at the man he knew to take whatever he wanted, even an enemy prince's concubine, that wasn't willing to take the woman he loved. Ramses marveld at Rayne bringing such joy, music and dance during the festival of Hathor. Since they were not in Egypt it was not being celebrated, but Rayne had managed to get many to celebrate with her.

After an excited dinner as Rayne talked about all the things she had seen, they all got baths and went to bed. Ramses sighed as Rayne fell asleep. He was quite familiar with how she breathed in her sleep, the little sounds she made as she dreamed, what her sleep giggle sounded like and how she smelled. Yet he still could not touch her, hold her as he longed to. Rolling to look at her he fondly admired how her lashes laid on her cheeks, the way her hair fell around her face and the soft sound of her breathing.

Reaching a hand out he brushed a few stray hairs back and she sighed, smiling. The reminder that she would leave him in under a year made him roll on his back and stare at the celling. He had never hesitated to take what he had wanted before this. It made him question his whole being but one look at her and he knew. With Yuri, he only wanted her for the political prospects. He was willing for her to hate him as long as her mind was as sharp as ever.

With Rayne he wanted her, nothing more, just her. He would not put aside the desire to rule Egypt but he now wanted Rayne at his side. Her ability to see far more than most, her fighting spirit and ability to make everyone love her with nothing more than kindness. It was possible with training that Rayne would make a great queen and if she stayed she would get such training, but he wanted her solely on the merit of the joy she brought him.

He understood finally why King Mursili II would take no other concubine or queen. It was a painful torturous thing, love. As much as he wanted to keep her, to make her his forever he could not let himself. He had to return her to where she wanted to be, to her home land. But oh how he wanted to convince her to stay.

Seth popped in "General, letter from your sister." Ramses got up and received the letter. Seth watched his commander get up before asking "Still fighting yourself?" Ramses gave a look that Seth knew too well. Returning to his quarters, he left Ramses to sort himself out.

Carefully and quietly opening the letter he quickly read it. Egypt was overrun with unrest, slaves were rebelling in droves and the pharaoh only cared to make sure he had pleasure and entertainment. Ramses would have to move quick if he was to make sure Egypt didn't fall to a neighbor.

With a sigh he got up and put the letter in his chest. Looking up he was slightly startled to see Rayne's innocent trusting eyes staring at him. Ramses smiled at her and got in his bed. Her eyes were still totally focused on him as she reached a hand out and took one of his. Rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb in a comforting manner her eyes finally closed.

Those eyes that changed from blue to green so easily, the ones that showed such trust and confidence in him. He wasn't sure when the change took place, when she had started trusting him so much, but he would never let himself break that trust. For some reason her trust was the most important treasure he had.

Ramses watched her a few minutes before carefully moving his fingers to lace with hers. 'She seems to have wanted to give me comfort.' He thought as he fell asleep content in the small touch of their interlaced fingers.

His dreams that night were filled with him standing Pharaoh and Rayne beside him as his queen. He would take no other. The children they had playing at their knees, a crown prince with her features, princesses that looked like a blend of them.