Tut: Twist of Fate

Tut has been up for most the night and until morning worried about Suhad after she left him a letter stating that she had returned home. Only to find out that she never left because she loved him too much. Even though he never said the words, his actions made his affections evident to Suhad. He has asked her to marry him on many occasions and each time she has said "No." This time, however, she has finally said "Yes." And come high sun, they are to be married. This should be a joyous occasion for everyone except there is one that isn't liking the current situation, the current Queen, Ankhe.

She is his sister and wife. She was raised since his birth to rule with him as is tradition. The custom is only those of royal birth can marry the Pharaoh but Tut has decreed that Suhad will become his lesser queen. This made possible due to Ankhe raising Suhad's status to that of Sister. Her plan to keep Suhad under her watchful eye has backfired in the worst of ways. Now she is pregnant with her second child by her lover, Ka. He husband discovered their affair and banished Ka from the palace almost killing him in the process. She wonders what he would think if he knew the child in her belly was not his. Would he have her killed? Ankhe didn't want to think about that at the moment. All she knew is that she needed to find the Grand Vizier Ay and put a stop to this wedding. The last time she saw him was in the throne room. He was talking with the High Priest Amun.

Grand Vizier Ay is still in the throne room talking with the High Priest Amun. "He asked the Mitanni girl to marry him at high sun." Amun stands and listens not responding. Ay keeps ranting. "What is he thinking? He knows that she isn't of royal birth." Amun corrects him. "He can marry the girl. Remember the Queen has decreed that she is to be treated as her sister. This gives the Pharaoh the right to ask her." Ay walks away from his friend. "He is young and doesn't understand what he is doing. What if she should become pregnant? He children can't sit on that throne. I think the Pharaoh's gone mad." Amun can not agree more but he also respects the decisions of his King. "Like it or not, I am obligated to marry them if that is his command. He is still Pharaoh." Grand Vizier can't stand the thought of Tut marrying Suhad. He starts ranting again when he sees Ankhe.

"My Queen, how did the night find you? I hope you found rest." Ay greets her. She could not be more angry. "How did the night find me? I was out for a stroll under the moon and saw MY husband with that Mitanni girl. She was in HIS room." The news comes as a shock to Ay and Amun. "I thought he was going to go to get some rest." Ay asks her. She couldn't answer him quick enough. "Apparently, she was there waiting for him. I am guessing he was getting some 'rest' with her." Amun turns to leave. "I must return to the temple. There is a ceremony I must prepare for, high sun will be here soon. I can't keep the King waiting." He bows to Ankhe. "My Queen." As he walks away, Ankhe calls after him. "Amun, wait!" He stops. "Yes?" She walks over to him. "Are you going to marry them? The Pharaoh and Suhad?" Amun bows again. "Of cousrse. He is Pharaoh. He is the head of the Temple. I can not deny him this right." His words upset Ankhe even more. "How can you?" She pleads with him. "This can not come to pass. Isn't there anything that can be done?" Amun stand silently for a moment. The he replies to her. "My Queen, you made this possible by your own words. Now you have to live with your decision. I wish I could help but this is the Gods will and I can't go against the Gods."

"What is wrong, Ankhe?" A young mans voice injected into the conversation. "Are you not happy for Egypt?" Ankhe turned to see Khamun walking towards them. Amun nodded toward the Pharaoh. "I will see you at the temple, my King." He walked quickly away before Ay could stop him. "Grandfather, please tell the laborors to return to their homes and pay them. No one will work on this my wedding day." Ay bowed. "My King, perhaps this can be done another day. You look tired. Did you not rest? Plus, I really don't think this is in the best interest of Egypt. Why the Mitanni girl?" Tut didn't like the fact the Grand Vizier was questioning his decision to marry Suhad. "This is exactly what is in the best interest for Egypt. Right now we need allies to assist in the war with the Nubians and by taking a daughter of the Mitanni, we will accomplish this. Plus Egypt must have an heir and since my Queen can not fulfill her duties then I must try elsewhere."

Ankhe couldn't wait to tell him of her pregnancy. "That is where you are wrong, my husband. I am with child as you speak. Egypt will have her heir. You don't need to take another wife." She beamed a smile. Khamun, however, was not enjoying in her news. "A child you claim that is mine? That isn't what I heard. In your womb is the seed of another. My once trusted friend, Ka?" She gasped. "Lagus, he told you." Tut laughed at his wife. "Lagus? Do you not realize that I know everything that happens in the city of Thebes? I am Pharaoh!." She thought for a second. "You had me followed? You distrust me that much." Ay stood listening to the exchange. "My Pharaoh, surely you didn't send some one to spy on your wife?" King Tutankhamun wrapped his wife in his arms and kissed her on the head. "Ankhe, I promise by the Gods that I did not order anyone to follow you." She breathed a sign of relief. Tut released her and went to his throne. Ay also sighed in relief. Khamun began laughing and laughing. The two looked at each other, bewildered with his amusement.

The Grand Vizier was confused at his grandson. "My King? May I ask what is so funny?" Ankhe wondering the same thing. "My husband?" He just smiled at them watching their reaction. He finally decided to let Ankhe in on the joke. "Grandfather, I asked you to talk to the workers. Please, I will see you at the temple. Now be gone!" He motioned for Ay to leave. "But my King?" Tut was growing impatient. "Go...Now...Grandfather!" Grand Vizier bowed and left still wondering why the Pharaoh was laughing at them. Tut was standing by his throne. He was looking at the placement of Ankhe's throne and where they had set Suhads. He had his back to Ankhe. "Khamun? Why were you laughing? Did I say something humorous?" He snickered at her question. "You just don't understand do you?" He turned around with a sly look on his face. In that moment, Ankhe realized how he knew about the baby. All the joy and happiness drained from her face. "YOU followed me!" He looked at her blankly as he came down the stairs to her.

With a motion of his hand a scribe appeared at the foot of his throne. "Yes, Ankhe. I followed you the other night into the city where you met up with Ka and told him about this child." Tut put his hand on her stomach, moving it back and forth. "You thought you would lie to me and tell me that this was MY child. The future heir of Egypt?" He took his hand away and started walking around almost circling her. Ankhe was getting uncomfortable with his actions. "My Pharaoh, my husband, I would never lie to you. This is indeed the heir you have been wanting. Please you must believe..." Tut cut her off. Looking over at the scribe. "I command that this child to be born of Ankhe and Ka will never be heir of Egypt." The young man at the foot of the throne wrote quickly the words on a papyrus scroll. "TUTANKHAMUN...you can't do this. I...AM...YOUR..QUEEN...YOUR...SISTER..." Ankhe yelled at him. Tut wasn't listening to her. "I must leve you Ankhe. Suhad is waiting for me at the temple. You are still my queen but you will never be the mother of the next Pharaoh."