AUTHOR'S NOTES: Here it is - the very last chapter! Like the rest of this story, it was written ages ago, but now I finally got round to posting it. Many thanks to my lovely beta Stonedtoad, who edited this a long tine ago, too! (the email with the corrections at the last half of this is dated "April 21", actually :)) oh, well)
Anyway, about this part... I have read so many well-written, touching and very interesting stories all over the Internet, all focusing on Daniel receiving support after "Forever in a Day" from his friends and teammates. Aware that this subject was already taken and gone through far better than I could ever do it, I've confined myself at showing in this fanfiction only another part of the very complex Daniel-comforting process – the sympathy coming from Abydos, with all its people, deserted landscapes and bittersweet memories.
This fanfiction also includes some slightly modified dialogue from the episode "Forever in a Day", without graphical highlighting. Though, I marked a couple of flashbacks with italics and put them between /\/\/\/\/\/\.
Hope someone reads and enjoys this! Feedback is very welcome!
As the morgue door opened slowly, Daniel knew he had to be strong again. This was his first stop today, the first place to go when coming to the base. Never leaving his side, Jack was a comfortable support he was sure he could count on.
The morgue was the same as it had been the day before. A cold metal table exposing a dead body covered by a sheet. The dead body of his wife. But now, sitting on a chair nearby, his head resting on the hand he was laying on his daughter's cold hand… was Kasuf. The great and wise Chief Elder, Kasuf of Abydos, leader of Nagada, weakened and defeated by grief. Standing at the other corner of the room, Teal'c was watching over the old man looking like an immutable statue.
Daniel completely ignored the huge Jaffa and headed to his father-in-law, kneeling in front of him.
"Good Father…"
Kasuf slowly turned his head and looked at him, sorrow mirrored in his dry eyes.
"I am sorry, Good Father, for disappointing you and failing in saving your daughter. I--"
"Rise, Dan'iel. She is free now from the demon
that once possessed her. I have been informed in what condition this happened. How are you feeling, Good Son?"
Daniel couldn't say anything, and just stood there, taking in his words and wondering how much strength could there still be in Kasuf's old brave heart.
"You have not failed her, my son. For she is in a better life now. What we see here is just a shell. But what really matters is the soul. And now my daughter's soul is free, safe from the destructive possession of the false gods, living in the eternal kingdom of the real gods."
Finishing his words, the old man reached out for his son-in-law and embraced him tenderly. Daniel relaxed in his arms, feeling comfort and trying, in his turn, to offer his own support. Soon the mutual sympathy helped each of them to
release a part of the burden in his soul: two pairs of eyes slowly filled with tears wept for the same woman they had both loved. A father mourning the death of his daughter, a husband mourning the death of his wife.
o0o0o0o0o
The Abydonians were all given temporary accommodation at the SGC, until the General was able to give them permission to go back to their own planet. They have been brutally kidnapped from their homes, taken to another world light years away and imprisoned like animals in a cage. And all that was just part of the plan meant to capture The Harsesis Child. With no care about their suffering, a false goddess, wearing the face of a young woman they used to know, had used their abduction as a cover story for her even more evil goal. And now dozens of people were on a strange, unknown planet, surrounded by people they didn't know whether to trust or not, kept again, for their own protection, in a fortress that scared them and was in no way a place like home.
Daniel realised all this and wanted to see them. More than this, he felt he must go to them. So, while opening the door to the quarters the base usually hosted refugees in, he tried to gather his strength again. He entered and looked around, followed by Jack, who wasn't surprised to see Feretti among the Abydonians, trying to communicate with them.
"Dan'iel! Dan'iel" many desperate voices cried, coming towards him. They looked him in the eyes with trust and respect, hoping for a sign that things would be back to normal soon. The confidence they showed in him helped Daniel gain some self-trust and speak to them in kind but sad words.
O'Neill was proud of Daniel in that very moment. Watching him interact with the people
who had adopted him in their society some years ago, Jack felt that his fears of what might happen at this meeting were unjustified. Among the Abydonians, explaining the situation, giving and finding comfort, seeing familiar faces that reminded him of much happier times, Daniel seemed in his element. These people had been Sha're's friends and relatives, they had seen the love between her and Daniel grow, they had witnessed their happiness and had been a part of the perfect life he had lived on Abydos. When, a couple of hours later, the two of them finally left the refugees, Daniel seemed to have found a little peace within.
o0o0o0o0o
The day had come: that terrible day of the funeral, the day when Daniel, as her husband playing a very important part in the ritual according to Abydonian tradition, would have to officially and symbolically let Sha're's mortal remains lay into the warm sands of her homeland and unleash her soul for its journey into immortality.
It was a day he had dreaded most because he had lived it once before, in the vision experienced while being held in the clutches of the ribbon-device. In that 'dream', the funeral itself had been a mere pretext to bring Daniel again to some other information about Sha're's task for him. But now… it was real. This time, attending the ritual was a purpose in itself, and he was determined to do his best and honour his wife for a last time.
Daniel was grateful to his friends for offering their entire support. Since the day he had returned to the SGC, everyone had been extremely kind and understanding, showing their sympathy and always being there for him. Jack had been constantly somewhere near, not letting him bury himself alive in work and constantly destroying all the walls he was trying to build to block everybody out, always being a comforting presence Daniel knew would always want by his side, a shoulder to literally cry on and a couple of strong, reassuring arms to hold him and make sure he was as fine as he could possibly be. Sam would come to him every two or three hours, checking on how he coped and offering her friendship and concern, in the same time using all her knowledge to analyse the possibility of Sha're having sent a message to Daniel through the hand
device. Teal'c, more discreet due to the guilt he was still heavily feeling, had been a silent shadow watching over him, at any moment ready to help him in every way that he could, even by turning into the target to any kind of anger Daniel could have felt. But there was none, and the Jaffa learned once more that the power of forgiveness of these Tau'ri, and especially Daniel Jackson, was unquestionable. But the rest of his team weren't the only ones trying to help the grieving archaeologist: Janet, the General, Cassie and, in one form or another, almost everyone on the base showed Daniel their sincere condolences. A big, somehow unexpected help came from Feretti, the major being able even to make Daniel bitterly laugh at the memories of the first mission to Abydos.
Unlike in his vision, resignation was not something Daniel wanted any more. Sha're had convinced him to continue his travels and he knew his friends were a too important part of his life now. But, just like in the 'dream' Sha're had given to him, he needed to pay his last homage to her before he could go on with his life. A life her memory would always be a part of, regardless of anything else.
The support he was receiving was the force to keep him going through all the days that had passed. Kasuf and the others had returned to Abydos and brought Sha're's body with them, in order to prepare it for the ceremony. Now, the time had come and everything was ready for the traditional burial.
Dressed in an Abydonian attire completed with Earthly sunglasses (useful to protect his eyes both from the powerful rays of the sun and from the sympathetic looks he could see everywhere he went), Daniel stepped through the event horizon towards Abydos, the last one in a sorrowful delegation. General Hammond, just like in the dream, had insisted to come in person. Jack, Sam and Janet's presence was not a surprise. But, different from the imaginary funeral he had lived before, this time Teal'c was also coming. Having received the forgiveness he was indeed seeking, the warrior was ready to attend the funeral of his unintended victim.
The ceremony went the same way Sha're had predicted, with all the litanies and ritual gestures seen in the dream. Kasuf was solemnly saying a prayer in
Abydonian, respectfully listened both by the mourning Abydonians and by the people from the Tau'ri, who, although not understanding what was said, could still feel the holiness of the moment. Then it was Daniel's turn to do his duty as a husband and be her voice in front of the others. With a strong, but explainable sense of déja vu, he knelt in the sand. He remembered everything he had spoken at the imaginary burial from his vision, and, assuming that was the way Sha're wanted to say goodbye to her people, he repeated each single word, in Abydonian and in English, so that anyone could understand, insisting that Sha're was not guilty for the crimes the Goa'uld in her had committed.
Found true by the trial of the Great Scales, Sha're's soul was now free to join the Gods. Daniel watched once more as the body was slowly covered by dirt. That beautiful young body he had held and caressed, now left to decay down into the sands of the desert. But Daniel knew that was the natural law, cruel perhaps, but immutable and doubtlessly obeyed by every living being.
In a desperate attempt to focus on something else, he turned towards Kasuf.
"It was a beautiful ceremony Good Father," Daniel said, waiting to hear how this discussion would go this time.
"It was. My daughter is with the Gods now."
They were both silent for a minute and started to walk away together.
"Are you staying here, my son?" Kasuf asked softly after a while.
"No, Good Father. I would like to go back to Earth with my friends."
"Though I truly enjoy your presence, it is very good that you still intend to go through the Chappa'ai. It gives the people of Abydos great security, knowing you are out there among the stars, protecting us. My daughter would have wished you to continue your travels to the stars."
"I'm sure she would have," Daniel agreed quietly, not wanting to show his father-in-law that there was more to his words that one could understand in the first place.
"But come, Dan'iel. It is too late to go to the Chappa'ai now; therefore you and the other Tau'ri should remain here for the night."
o0o0o0o0o
Accepting Kasuf's invitation, Hammond, Dr. Frasier and the rest of SG1 were silently waiting in the Chief Elder's house. Daniel had wanted to see again the tent he had called 'home' for more than a year. The place he had shared with his wife, the space that still kept traces of her lost presence.
Daniel stopped in front of the entrance, a strange feeling crossing his soul. He was about to entered an almost sacred place for him, the home of so many memories… After a moment of just staying there, he moved to lift the curtains and stepped in, the heavy material falling back into place. The same curtains had moved almost four years before to let her in for the first time on the night the others considered their wedding night, revealing a frightened veiled young woman…
But their real wedding night, the night their union had been complete, was another. For the people of Abydos, they were married. But Daniel didn't felt that way. Two days after Jack and the others left, he asked Kasuf to perform a real, complete traditional ceremony for them. He had grown to love Sha're so much in such a short time, that he really wanted to spend the rest of his life with her; and since he was going to do so, he wanted it to be officially. The old man had accepted, and so, two weeks later, their traditional Abydonian wedding ceremony (forgotten by most, who preferred the simple way of getting married, only by being given a wife) has been a part of the feasts of joy that were taking place everywhere after Ra's
defeat.
As, even if she remained widow and remarried, an Abydonian woman wasn't allowed to wear the ceremonial wedding robes twice in her life, and Sha're had worn them before, she couldn't be dressed again like that. Daniel suggested white, and his idea had been put into practice. That night, a beautiful bright white material was covering her body, making her look like a young Roman matron. In spite of this, the rest of the ceremony was purely Abydonian, with slight modifications due to the recent freedom they have gained: the prayers to the false god Ra were replaced by invocations to the real, unseen but still real, deity that had to be out there. After the Abydonian ceremony was finally over, the young couple was left alone to retreat into the intimacy of their home.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Stopping in front of the entrance of their tent, Daniel, to Sha're's surprise, leaned over her and tenderly lifted her in his arms.
"It's a custom on Earth," he whispered into her ear, while she was still giggling, "that the bride should be carried over the threshold of their new home. We respected every single Abydonian tradition, so a couple of more Earth customs can fit in, right?"
"Of course, husband," she said, her voice trembling a little with emotion, "I love you…" she added in English, a language she had forced Daniel to teach her from the very first day after the other Tau'ri left.
The groom smiled and slowly
entered their tent with his new wife in his arms, softly letting her on the floor. Then, they kneeled in front of each other, and, holding hands, started to say those almost magical words Daniel had insisted should be the end of a proper ceremony.
"We're here alone, Sha're," Daniel began, "Just you and me, here alone, looking into each other's eyes and hoping to see the bright future before us."
"The prayers have been said, the traditions have been fulfilled, we have both drunk wine from the cup that bonds us together, people and gods have blessed our union…"
"… but there is one more thing left to do…"
"… to make the wedding vows that will truly wed us."
"Therefore, I, Daniel, take you, Sha're…"
"And I, Sha're, take you, Dan'iel…"
"… to be my wife…"
"… to be my husband…"
"… to have and to hold from this day forward…"
"… to love and to cherish…"
"… to care and protect you…"
"… to honour and respect you…"
"… to comfort and cherish you…"
"… to stay with you and be yours…"
"… for better or for worse…"
"… in times of plenty and in times of want…"
"… in times of sickness and in times of health…"
"… in times of joy and in times of sorrow…"
"… in times of failure and in times of triumph…"
"… in times of slavery and in times of freedom…"
"… till death do us part."
"… not until death do us part," Sha're changed the usual words much to Daniel's surprise, "but… for all the days that my immortal soul shall have."
"Forever, then."
"Forever."
And with the power they had been given by their love, Daniel and Sha're declared themselves husband and wife.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Daniel sighed, as the last traces of the memory faded away. Yes, that had been their first night together in the true meaning of the word, their first night as husband and wife. And than there followed so many other nights of love, tenderness, passion and bliss… But all this was now lost. Now, standing alone in the place that used to be their home, in the place that looked exactly as they had left it the day they went to the pyramid the day Apophis destroyed their life, he could only remember the one year that was their entire life together. There had been "for better" in that single year of marriage, and now he was alone to face "for worse": there had been plenty, now there was want, there had been health, now there was sickness, there had been joy, now there was sorrow, there had been triumph, now there was failure, there had been happiness, now there was pain.
But no, Daniel wasn't right and he realised it immediately. No, he wasn't alone. Death did not part them, Sha're had chosen the correct words for her vow: their union was to last forever.
"Good Son…?"
Daniel turned and saw Kasuf standing by him, a concerned look on his old face. His father-in-law must have entered while he was still deep in memories, Daniel thought.
"I'm fine, Good Father. I just wanted to see this place for the last time…"
"Are you not reconsidering about--?"
"No, Kasuf, I really want this tent and all the belongings to be given to some poor families who are in need. Sha're would have liked this."
"Yes… But there are some things I'm sure she would have wanted you to have. I shall send them as soon as we finish what needs to be done."
"I trust your wise judgement, Good Father."
"And right now, my wise judgement tells me it's time for the evening meal. Come, Dan'iel. Nor you, nor your friends have eaten; they are my guests and I have to show them that the desert may be inhospitable, but its people are able of the highest hospitality."
o0o0o0o0o
Kasuf had been right; the people of Abydos couldn't miss any chance to show the hospitality their Elder was talking about, although, this time, the event that had brought them guests weren't fortunate at all. It was a quiet, sad dinner, but even Daniel had to admit it was some sort of a family meal.
For Janet and for the General, this was one of their rare trips through the gate; they had come here to show their colleague and friend their condolences and offer their support in these difficult times. But Hammond took the opportunity and also discussed some diplomatic matters with Kasuf, while Janet couldn't help but be amazed by the rudimental, but efficient ways of treatment the Abydonians were using.
Jack, Sam and Teal'c took part in the conversation, but, in the same time, each of them was keeping an eye on Daniel. He was silent almost all the time, barely eating and seeming to be lost in thoughts. This happened a lot now, they knew, and all of them realised that being on Abydos must be bringing a lot of memories to him.
And SG1's assumption was a correct one. Everything here was reminding him of Sha're and the beautiful moments he had had with her. Inevitable
comparisons rose in his mind, between what had been 'then' and what was 'now', between his regular meals with his extended Abydonian family and this dinner with Kasuf, SG1, Hammond, Janet and a few Abydonians.
Images floated before his eyes: Sha're gently bringing the plates, Skaara teasing her, the boys laughing, Kasuf smiling widely and telling them to stop… Now the bittersweet memories weren't bringing him pain, as it had been in the first few days after he had lost her forever; but still, it was a long way to the day when he would only find comfort in them. The wound was still
raw; the pain was still too fresh in his heart.
Nevertheless, being here helped him more than he could have imagined. Abydos had been the only true home he had found since he lost his parents. Not that when he was a child he had had a 'home' in the usual meaning of the word. His parents used to travel a lot, to go to digs, exhibitions and conferences all over the world, and little Danny was always carried with them. He enjoyed it, and he had a 'home' in the sense that he was surrounded by people who loved him and cared. When they died and Nick wouldn't take him in, Daniel almost forgot how it was to feel like home. Until the first Stargate mission, until he met Sha're. Until Abydos.
Of course, Daniel knew that now he had another home, with the good friends that became almost his family. His apartment, Jack's house, the SGC or any campsite across the galaxy was 'home' as long as he was with his friends.
Still, it wasn't the same thing. The 'home' he felt rather than had now was the same sense of belonging he had lived with his parents. Abydos had been different: it brought him stability, something he had missed both in his childhood and now, when every mission could be the last one. Sure, he enjoyed adventure and the discoveries they made were paradise for him, but on Abydos… he had more, he had the security of always having a place to return to after his exploring trips, and always finding someone willing to listen to him and be there for him. That 'someone' had been Sha're and now she was gone.
Sha're… the first one to understand him, the first one to love him, the first one to care. And he lost her. In a cynical way, loosing his wife in the first place had brought something good to Daniel – the return to Earth, being assigned at the SGC and part of a team. He was graceful for that, but it didn't mean that he didn't need Sha're any more. He'll always need her; he'll always love her. But she was now gone.
"Daniel?" Jack's words brought the archaeologist back to the present. "Isn't this the same plate we were offered the first time?"
Yes, the colonel was right. The same dish of desert lizard that tasted like chicken.
"You know," O'Neill went on, "I didn't try it back then, but now… I think you were right. Yep. Tastes like chicken!"
Daniel just smiled. He missed Sha're greatly, but he knew he hadn't lost her completely. And it definitely was good to be home…
o0o0o0o0o
The small gathering for eating was over and everyone was supposed to go to bed, since early in the morning they planned to return to Earth and it was a long way from Nagada to the Stargate. Kasuf had plenty of space in his house, so the General, Janet and the rest of SG1 had been hosted at his place, while Daniel decided to spend the night, for the last time, in the house he and Sha're had used
during their short marriage. He wanted to be alone in this place, although he didn't know whether it was a good decision.
But his plans of loneliness had to wait, as Kasuf's voice could be soon heard from outside, asking if he might enter the tent of his son-in-law.
"Of course, Good Father, come in," Daniel answered, somehow relieved that he would have company for a while. He had pleaded with everyone to let him alone this night (and Jack was extremely difficult to convince….), but now he was starting to regret it, so Kasuf's visit was greatly appreciated.
"Good Son," the old man started in a solemn voice, after some moments of just sitting in front of Daniel, "I have come… to tell you something that you don't know, but I think you need to find out now.
A fact of great importance."
"What is it, Kasuf?"
"The truth," he said simply, a small twinkle visible in his eyes.
Daniel didn't have time to react, as the other man quickly went on:
"The truth about how my daughter became your wife."
Daniel was stunned. He knew it: the Abydonians thought he was a messenger of Ra and The Elders decided to…
"This is something only two people in the world knew – Sha're and myself. You and everyone else are wrong to think that I decided to give her to you. She asked me to keep it a secret, but now I think I am absolved of that promise and I can tell you what really happened that night…."
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Kasuf was desperate. What was this, a test? He expected Ra to return these days; it was the time of the year this god came to collect everything they were digging from the mines. Kasuf didn't like how things were, but he had been born to obey the god and he couldn't do or say everything
that would come in contradiction with his upbringing. But no one could control his thoughts, and deep in his soul, Kasuf knew something just wasn't right with their dependency of this Ra…
Were the beings that controlled their lives true gods? He was raised to believe so, but an incident, which had happened in his early years, had cast a shadow over his blind faith: he had seen something totally unsuitable for a god. A servant of Ra was… dead, probably poisoned by snakebite, his corps lying in the middle of the desert, eaten by scavenger birds. It was than when he
realised the shiny appearance of these beings was just a shell – it wasn't part of their body. They were made of flash and blood like him. Gods aren't humans, gods don't die from the poison of a mere inferior life form, gods aren't helpless about the profanation of their own bodies. The only reasonable assumption was… that this dead body in front of him wasn't belonging to a god.
Years had passed since his discovery. He had never told anyone, not even his wife, whom, not according to Abydonian tradition, he was telling everything. But the impression of the dead god
had haunted him for a long time and tormented him. Every time the gods came back, he started examining them and uncertainty grew in his soul. The people had a hard life, while their gods lived in luxury and only came to take away all the substance they collected, not giving anything back. Good gods weren't supposed to act like that. It wasn't fair.
But he couldn't express his doubt in public. Moreover, as an Elder, he had to preach obedience to the god Ra. It was a great inner conflict in him, but his only chance to, someday, chance something was to remain an Elder.
But he wasn't the only one doubting. The Abydonians realised they were slaves. In folk literature appeared a new tale – one about the day they would be free. It was illegal to say this aloud, but people whispered. One day, everyone wanted to believe, a great warrior would have the courage to face the god and bring salvation to Abydos. Kasuf desperately adopted this belief, like a new religion, and could only hope that the raising of this hero would be during his lifetime.
When Sha're was born after such a long time of marriage, when he had almost started to believe that Ra had cursed him and his wife to be barren because of his unspoken disobedience, he had made a silent vow. He took the birth of his daughter as a sign that the Day was approaching. This beautiful child wouldn't have to live in slavery. He, as a father, was determined not to give her hand to any young man, but the one hero who would free Abydos from the tyranny of Ra.
This was the reason Sha're was not yet married, although her beauty attracted dozens of wooers. Kasuf had refused them all, without telling the real reason to anyone.
And now, with the arrival of these men, what could he do? Were they sent by Ra himself, to test the faith of the Abydonians? Or had they suppressed Ra (one of them was wearing The Eye of Ra) and now they were trying to enslave them? No, this couldn't be. They didn't seem to want to replace Ra as rulers of this place, but who could tell what was their true purpose?
If this were a test, he wouldn't fail. He showed them all the hospitality and was determined to do everything in his power not to displease them in any way, especially that at least one of them, the fair-haired one, had seemed so friendly and eager to understand them.
The other Elders had decided that giving a woman to this one would be both a sign of appreciation and would create a bond between him and them. Cruel as it seemed (since the girl's future could be destroyed forever), Kasuf couldn't disagree, but, as Chief Elder, he had the right to choose who would be the bride.
He was thinking of this right now. There were several beautiful girls of good families that could take this mission, but he just couldn't decide which one. He knew them, they had played in his house together with his children, and he just couldn't choose to probably ruin the life of any of them. What was he to do? The old women had already taken the man to prepare him for this, and Kasuf had to hurry and choose a bride. But how? Who?
"Father?" he heard in that precise second and, turning, saw his daughter standing by his side, a worried expression on her face.
"Sha're, what are you doing here?" he schooled, "you should make sure there's enough food for our guests and…"
"That's precisely what I wanted to talk to you, Father. I know you are going to give a wife to one of them. Whom are you sending?" she asked in a low, serious voice.
Kasuf didn't answer.
"Mijda? Kel'oraa? Ruba'ni?" her tone became rough. "You can't do this, Father. They are my friends, and I know they are all engaged. Mijda loves her future husband since we were children. Kel'oraa is to marry Hus'finm next week, and it will be a great shame for him if the wedding was cancelled. As for Ruba'ni, she --"
"Silence!" Kasuf ordered, something he rarely did with his children. He realised Sha're was right, but… "What could I do, child?" he continued in a softer voice. "The Elders have decided that we should do this --"
"But you are the Chief Elder, Father! You are their leader, you could oppose this decision!" she pleaded. It wasn't normal for a girl to challenge her father's decisions, not to mention the decisions of the Council of Elders, but this time Sha're had something in mind and nothing could stop her.
"Sha're," he sadly answered, calmer than she expected him to be, "you know the rules as well as I know them. I am one, and I can't do anything but obey what was decided by all the Elders. I understand your point of view and as a father I have the same opinion, but as the Chief Elder I have no choice but to --"
"… act in spite of your judgement and your heart! I know! You always do this --"
"Yes. Even if it costs me dearly. And now I should do the same thing. The Council has decided that a woman would please these gods, and -- "
"These people are not gods, Father, and you know that."
"They are messengers of Ra!" Kasuf stated, in spite of his earlier hesitation to believe this.
"No they aren't!" Sha're continued to disagree, knowing she was walking on an unsafe road. "They don't have the arrogance, or the self-conceit, or the --"
"Enough!" Kasuf stopped her although her words reflected his own thoughts, "Ra is our god, and if the strangers come from him, we --"
"No, Father," she insisted, and Kasuf could see in his eyes the same determination he used to hold once, "Ra…" her voice was cut off, but after a moment of heavy silence, she went on: "You, Father, have your own doubts about Ra being a true god", she said, bending her head and expecting a punishment for blasphemy.
Kasuf's eyes widened in amazement. "You know I could legally take your life for saying such infamous words."
Eyes down, Sha're waited for her father and lord to continue.
"But I will not. How did you realise, my daughter?" the old man said quietly, defeated. But Kasuf knew the answer – she was his blood, and, just like her mother used to, she could sometimes understand him better than he could understand himself.
Sha're took the opportunity to bring the conversation where she wanted: "Father, don't send any of my friends. Don't go over their will to forcefully marry her… Please…"
Kasuf couldn't help but be proud for her courage to maintain her idea. Unfortunately, he had his orders… "And what should I do?!" he almost screamed, exasperated by his helplessness.
Sha're was silent for a moment, as if she was deep in thought, considering the solutions. Then, her choice made, she looked directly in her father's eyes and quietly, but unflinchingly, spoke:
"Send me, Father."
The man couldn't believe his ears. Sha're was risking to fight so as no young woman should be given as a
wife, and she had just admitted that she was prepared to go herself. She was known for her kindness and her abnegation, but this wasn't the case. Unless…
"Sha're, do you… do you love this man…?" It was a most unusual question for a man to ask his daughter, but the entire conversation had been extremely unsuitable…
"No," she simply said, amazingly not surprised by his direct inquiry. "I do not love him…" she said, and then, blushing, she softly added: "But I think that, in time, I shall be able to become a good wife for him…"
A small smile appeared on Kasuf's lips, but soon died out as he remembered the vow he had made.
"I can't," he told her, turning his gaze away.
"Why?"
"Because…" He knew she wouldn't be satisfied without a very good explanation, so he decided to tell her the truth. "You are right, I do believe that Ra is a cruel tyrant and not a true god. He had to be eliminated and only a real hero could do that. When you were born, I swore to give you as a wife only to a warrior who wouldn't bow his head in front of that deceiver and would fight for the freedom I never was brave enough to fight for myself…"
"Oh, Father…" Sha're didn't know what to say.
"Therefore I cannot --"
"But," she cut him off again, "maybe this one, who wears the Eye of Ra, is the hero we expect…"
"He's not even a warrior. The others, yes, are fighters, but he… he's a mere scholar…"
"A scholar, yes, but a scholar may be exactly what we need," she said, excited by that possibility and coming closer to her now confused father.
"What do you mean?"
"Father, Ra may be cruel and merciless, but he's not stupid. He prohibited writing for a reason…"
"I can see where you are going, my child, but how could a scholar bring freedom to our people?" Kasuf knew that, if this discussion was overheard by anyone, both Sha're and himself were in a big trouble.
"He might not fight with the power of his arm, but he could fight with the power of his wit," Sha're continued her argumentation.
"Sha're, we don't know who these strangers are and what are they here for… They could…"
"I am willing to take the risk. Any risk concerning this man!" she said, but blushed again immediately. "He can't have been sent by Ra, Father, he's completely different from his servants… and from any other man I have even known…" she went on, ignoring the fact that she kept turning redder and redder. "He seems to be so gentle and kind… He's not afraid to show his curiosity and he's so interested in everything… He--"
"I understand. Perhaps you are indeed right, my child," Kasuf sighted, seeing the bright wide smile blossoming oh his daughter's lips. Sha're wasn't smiling to him, but to her dreams of the future, and her father had seen that beautiful smile before – his wife used to have it when she lovingly looked into his eyes. Sha're was sometimes so much like her mother! It was an almost painful resemblance for Kasuf to observe… But maybe she had a point. These men could be the ones to make a change, and the one wearing the Eye of Ra could particularly bring happiness to his daughter. But what if he was wrong, and Sha're's life with him would be a continuous nightmare?
His old hand reached for her cheek and he softly caressed her face, the determination in her eyes making him finally decide.
"Go," was the only word he said, than embraced his daughter and watched as she quickly left to get ready for this important step
in her life. She had chosen her husband, something that rarely happened on Abydos. He only agreed and gave his blessing.
"I love you, Sha're, my little girl…" Kasuf whispered, alone in the empty tent.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
"This is what really happened, Good Son. You were to be given a wife, but my daughter was the one who decided to be yours."
Daniel didn't know what to say. He never expected this. Though, considering Sha're's temper and determination, he could have thought of this astonishing possibility. Now, some events appeared in a new light to him, but this disclosure could only increase the beauty of their life together.
"Why didn't she want to tell me?" he asked, curious only, not upset.
"Sha're loved you more than anything, Dan'iel. At first, she just thought that maybe you could feel uncomfortable knowing that… she was the one to choose you, and not you to choose her."
"Yeah, I see. Thank you, Kasuf, for telling this to me. I can't feel anything but delighted that that was the way it had happened."
"I know my daughter had made the right decision, Dan'iel. Becoming your wife, her life was complete."
"Yes. For a very short time."
"Good Son, know this:" the old man said in a more than convincing voice, putting his hands on Daniel's shoulders and looking him straight in the eye, "Sha're had no regrets. In spite of what happened afterwards, I am sure that she was always grateful for the blissful time spent at you side. You have brought her such a great happiness…"
"And she has made me the most fulfilled man in the world, Good Father. Your daughter was an exceptional woman."
"Dan'iel, I am proud to have been the one to be her father, but you… you must be most proud to have had her as you wife!" Kasuf ended, then, without any other explanations, he left, so as his Good Son couldn't see his old tears.
o0o0o0o0o
Daniel couldn't sleep. He just couldn't stay there alone. He couldn't sleep there alone, without with her in his arms. It was too painful. So he headed to the desert, a place that also held so many memories…
It was relieving to be there again, to watch the Abydonian night sky and see Sha're's smile in the shining of the familiar constellations. The two of them had been here alone for so many times… just holding each other and feeling their hearts beating in the same rhythm.
There was just the desert all around him – and nothing but silence. The small noises in the night, the soft sound of the wind rustling over the dunes were only deepening the silence.
Silence was also in Daniel's mind. For the moment, there wasn't any struggling within or any painful thought to disturb the calm inner peace he seemed to have found. Playing with the sand, letting it run through his fingers, he was feeling the comfort of this magical land, the comfort of home.
Here, alone among the sands of Abydos, Daniel could be in a way together with his lost Sha're. And all her love had morphed into the caress of the dunes.
The END