Disclaimer: I have No ownership of The Mummy except for the DVD's and my own OCs

AN: Just so you guys know this takes place 5 months before Rick goes to Hamunaptra for the first time.

I have a new beta-reader! Thank you Emilie Bay for helping make these chapters possible!

~ Chapter 10 – Meeting Evelyn ~

Belle

Belle woke with a start. 'That man… the one from my dreams… he looked just like…' The dream faded quickly from her mind as the sounds of men yelling broke through the curtains of her tent. Sunlight drifted in through the opening as Ardeth stepped in.

"It is time to leave. We head to the city today. I must check your wound before we leave." Ardeth said instructing her to lie back. He removed the bandages to see the gash on her right side. The bleeding had slowed but it hadn't stopped completely. Taking a wet cloth he once again cleaned her and wrapped her tightly in clean strips of linen. Bringing his hand to her forehead he checked for signs of fever only to feel that it had broken sometime during the night. He picked up the soiled cloth and with a short nod he turned and left the tent to give more orders to the men.

"Not very talkative, is he?" Belle muttered to herself as she sat up again and stretched slowly and carefully; trying not to disturb her wound. She washed her face and neck ridding her skin of whatever sweat or dirt that lingered. She took the headdress next to her and placed it on her head, putting the veil on so that only her eyes could be seen. It would protect her from the harsh sun. Ardeth once again entered the tent just as she had put her boots back on.

"Come, you will ride with me." He helped her to her feet; steadying her as she caught her balance. Ardeth then led her from the tent as one of his men handed him the reigns of his horse, and moved to take down the tent.

"Can you ride?"

"Yes. How far are we from the city?"

"It's about a ten-hour-ride from here. It is nine o'clock now. We should get there by nightfall." He answered her. He checked the horse before turning to lift her up onto the saddle, being mindful of her wound. His hands lingered on her waist; making sure she was seated comfortably before climbing on behind her his body pressed right up against her back to his chest. There was not much room for the both of them on the horse as he had to sit close up on her she felt every muscle and his warm breath on her neck. Her heart raced; she could feel his thigh muscles tighten on the horse as his leg brushed up against hers. His fingers brushed her waist as he reached for the reigns in front of her and wrap an arm firmly but gently around her waist, making her gasp. Her heartbeat jumped at his touch, a spark jolted through her.

"I am sorry, did I hurt you?" Ardeth asked, snatching back his hands.

"No, it's nothing." She said, slapping herself mentally. 'Get a grip girl.' She thought and tried to calm her racing heart. 'Now is not the time to be having feelings for my rescuer.' Ardeth grabbed the reigns once more holding on to her again and called for his men to move out. With that they all shot off into the desert.

At midday, water was being passed around between the men. Ardeth took a drink from his canteen then passed it to Belle, who gladly accepted it. As the next hour passed Belle began to wonder where she would stay when she got to the city. She had no family left and no money either. Perhaps once she was better she would go back to France. But then she remembered her grandfather's words the night before the raid. "My friend Howard Carnahan's children Jonathan and Evelyn are staying in Cairo. If something were to happen to me, my dear, you must go and find them. They will keep you safe. You are special, my child, and I know not what I would do if anything happened to you. Please promise me that you will find them. Promise me."

"I promise grandfather."

So that was that, then. Once she was healed she would go and find Evelyn and Jonathan.

As they rode on and on, a long distant memory resurfaced. Once when she was a child her mother told her a story about how Egypt was once at war. And that a Pharaoh had prayed to the gods for victory and peace and in return they command that he give his unborn child to them to bless it as their own. The gods answered his prayer and he won the battle. That very next night a daughter was born to the royal family. It was said that at her birth three goddesses appeared in the room and chanted over the queen, and a great light filled the room and the cry of a babe was heard. When the light dimmed the three women were nowhere to be seen. Everyone attending the birth of the baby girl was silent with shock and awe as the child giggled and then fell asleep.

The pharaoh was told of what happened. He held the child and said she was blessed by the gods and belonged to them, and named her Ra-nefer-u.

At the end of the tale Belle's mother would pick her up and hold her and tell her that when she was in labor her skin glowed with an inner light and she noticed three women dressed as nurses at her bedside that had not been there before. She remembered them chanting in a different language over her and disappearing right when baby Belle was born.

Belle thought it was strange for her to remember all of this just now. And why was she having dreams about Ra-nefer-u? Belle was brought from her thoughts hours later as they came to a halt. They had ridden all day and most of the evening. It was now nightfall and they were just outside the gates of the city. Only three other warriors besides Ardeth and Laham entered the city; the rest of the Medjai waited for their leader's return outside of the city limits.

For another thirty minutes they rode deeper into the city before they came to a small house next to the Museum of Antiquities. Ardeth climbed down and helped her off the horse; his hands about her waist as she used his shoulders for support. He then led her to the house and knocked. After a few moments a man answered the door. He was a tall man, in his 50's and balding, with a greying mustache and beard. Wait! I know him…

"Oh! Miss. Amera what a surprise!" The man seemed surprised that I was at his door step. Ardeth was surprised that the man knew me!

"Dr. Terence Bey! But you're the curator of the Cairo museum!?" So this is who Ardeth thought would help me. I had meet Mr. Bey when grandfather and I visited the museum before we went to the dig site.

"What are you doing here, and where is your grandfather?" At the mention of my grandfather, tears filled my eyes and rolled down my warm cheeks. I bit down my lip to stifle the sobs that tried to escape me. Ardeth whispered in his ear and Dr. Bey's face fell and took on a sympathetic expression.

"Come inside child. I will make some tea." He ushered us inside and sat me down on the couch. Then he went into the kitchen. Ardeth and the other warriors stayed behind in the living room with me, sitting down around the room.

Terence came back carrying seven cups and a tea kettle. Ardeth helped him carry the tray and set it down on the table, and handed me a cup. The sweet Moroccan tea warmed my body and soothed my throat. I dried my tears with a handkerchief I found in my pocket and taking a deep calming breath I began my story. When I was finished with both the story and the tea the curator offered me a place to sleep for the night which I gladly accepted.

"Thank you so much, Terence..." And turning to Ardeth, I added "And thank you again, Ardeth, for saving me. I know if you had not, I would have died out there. So thank you."

He bowed slightly and bid me farewell. With a nod to Terence he and his warriors swept out of the house with their black robes floating around them. I looked longingly after them. I doubt I will ever see them again. I thought as Terence ushered me into the extra bedroom to rest. He handed me sleeping gown from his late wife. I changed into the gown and turned down the covers climbing into the bed. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

I stayed with Terence for a few weeks before he offered me a job at the museum. I walked into the building and was in awe of all the artifacts that covered the rooms and halls of the museum. I walked into the library gazing at the tall bookshelves in wonder, not really paying attention to where I was going, and I bumped into someone causing them to drop the large stack of books they were carrying.

"Oh I am so sorry! I was not looking where I was going!" I apologized, bending down to help pick up the fallen books.

"Oh it's quite alright. I tend to be a bit clumsy all on my own." The person I had bumped into was a woman with dark hair, pulled back into a neat bun on the back of her head. Her bangs hung in front of her hazel brown eyes almost touching the round reading glasses she wore low on her nose. She had an English accent but had slight Egyptian features about her. She might have been half Egyptian.

"Can I help you with something?" She asked as I handed her the last book.

"Oh I'm looking for Dr. Bey's office to let him know I am ready to start work." Her eyebrows raised in acknowledgement.

"Ah you're the new librarian he told me about! Here, I will take you to him. Oh, my name is Evelyn, by the way. Evelyn Carnahan, but you can call me Evy. I'm also a librarian here, and a prospective Egyptologist." She put all the books down and shook my hand smiling. I smiled back and introduced myself.

"I'm Belle. Belle Amera, it's nice to meet you Evy." I had found her the one grandfather had talked about! Evelyn Carnahan.

Well that's all guys I hope you enjoyed it, I love updating. I might be updating slower than I want because of my new job but I will do my best. Also thanks again to Emilie Bay; my beta-reader and thank you to those that favorite and review. It means a lot. Please Review and Follow! Until the next update guys…

DovieDM-1991-Promised Wings signing out!